Key Points and Summary – The Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has arrived in Singapore for its first Indo-Pacific port visit, leading a multinational carrier strike group on an eight-month deployment known as “Operation Highmast.”
-The visit, which celebrates 60 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Singapore, is a significant power projection move for the Royal Navy.
-The carrier, which has taken over flagship duties from its sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth, docked at the public Marina Bay Cruise Center to be more visible and engaging.
-After its visit, the strike group will head to Australia to participate in the Talisman Sabre exercise.
UK Aircraft Carrier Prince of Wales Arrives In Singapore
The Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales is currently involved in a major deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, leading the UK Carrier Strike Group. It has taken over as the flagship of the fleet, replacing the HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The HMS Prince of Wales, the second of the class, is leading the UK Carrier Strike Group 25 on an eight-month mission to the Indo-Pacific region in a rare power projection move by the Royal Navy.
The flagship of the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Center in Singapore this week for its first Indo-Pacific port visit as part of its Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific deployment, known as Operation Highmast.
Following its port visit to Singapore, the UKCSG will head directly to Darwin, Australia, to participate in the multinational exercise Talisman Sabre, which commences on July 13 with several naval task forces now en route to participate in the drills.
UK, Singapore Celebrate 60 Years Of Diplomatic Relations
The Royal Navy docked the Prince of Wales at the Marina Bay Cruise Center instead of Changi Naval Base to make the carrier more visible, accessible, and engaging.
The visit is significant, particularly with the UK and Singapore celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations, stated UK High Commissioner to Singapore Nik Mehta in a press briefing on Thursday.
“We could have put the carrier into Changi (Naval Base), and that is what every other country does, but we wanted to do something different, we wanted to make it more accessible, more visible, and more engaging,” Mehta said.
‘’We have brilliant people in this ship, and they’ve been working really hard. Singapore is an incredible place to be, and we have received the warmest welcome … we’re excited to show off the flagship,” said Captain Will Blackett, HMS Prince of Wales’ Commanding Officer.
“This ship is an engine for growth—it’s a world-class ship, with fifth-generation aircraft—as a visible demonstration of UK and allied defense investment in cutting-edge technology, and the UK as a defense industrial superpower.”
The Prince of Wales carrier strike group (CSG) consists of the RN destroyer HMS Dauntless (D33), RN frigate HMS Richmond (F239), Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) frigate HMCS Ville De Quebec (FFH332), Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha (F77) Royal Norwegian Navy (RNN) frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen (F311), Spanish Navy frigate ESPS Mendez Nunez (F-104) and fleet oiler RFA Tidespring (A136).
Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG42) is en route to Singapore to join the UKCSG.
On Monday, in a posting on the social media app “X”, the UK Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) stated that Sydney, together with RN offshore patrol vessel HMS Spey (P234), conducted Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) around the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
The Queen Elizabeth Class of Aircraft Carriers
The Queen Elizabeth Class consists of the two carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales – the largest and most powerful vessels ever constructed for the Royal Navy. They each weigh 65,000 tons, have a top speed in excess of 25 knots per hour, and a range of 10,000 nautical miles.
The flight deck of the Queen Elizabeth-Class carriers is 280 meters long and 70 meters wide and can carry up to 72 aircraft—including a maximum of 36 F-35B fighter jets, as well as any type of helicopter used by the UK armed forces.
The Queen Elizabeth Class operates with a crew of 679 but can accommodate up to 1,600 personnel, including an entire aircrew, Royal Marines, and, if required, refugees.
For armament, the Queen Elizabeth-Class carriers use three Phalanx CIWS (20mm close-in weapon system) turrets to deal with incoming threats from the sea and air.
Phalanx is comprised of a radar-guided 20mm Vulcan cannon mounted on a swiveling base. The Phalanx has a dual fire rate of 3,000 or 4,500 rounds per minute and is capable of hitting targets up to a mile away. The Royal Navy uses them on the majority of its surface combat ships.
Following the numerous issues with the Queen Elizabeth-class of carriers, this deployment is particularly significant for the Royal Navy.
And so far, the Prince of Wales has answered the bell for the UK and her allies.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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