OPERATION HIGHMAST: UK EASTERN DEPLOYMENT FOR A “TWO-CARRIER NAVY”

Key Takeaways

• 40,000‑nm deployment showcased two‑carrier operational capability
• F‑35B fleet reached full operational capacity despite engine faults
• Joint exercises with US, Japan, India, Australia enhanced interoperability
• European carrier group rotation reinforced NATO‑Indo‑Pacific strategic tilt
• Deployment sent deterrence signal amid rising China‑region tensions

Summary

Operation Highmast, spanning April to November 2025, saw HMS Prince of Wales lead a UK Carrier Strike Group on a 40,000‑nautical‑mile voyage to the Sea of Japan and back, marking the first full‑scale deployment of Britain’s two‑carrier fleet. The mission validated the Integrated Review’s Indo‑Pacific tilt and the Strategic Defence Review’s “NATO first, not NATO only” stance, proving both Queen Elizabeth‑class carriers can sustain long‑range operations while fielding Wildcat Sea‑Venom missiles and F‑35B jets. Despite engine glitches, the F‑35B fleet achieved Full Operational Capacity, highlighting a step‑change in Royal Navy combat power. The deployment also showcased extensive multinational cooperation, reinforcing alliance cohesion and deterrence messaging.

Pulse Analysis

Operation Highmast, running April‑November 2025, took HMS Prince of Wales and its escort across more than 40,000 nautical miles to the Sea of Japan and back, marking the first full‑scale deployment of the United Kingdom’s two‑carrier fleet. The mission built on the 2021 Integrated Review’s Indo‑Pacific tilt and the 2025 Strategic Defence Review’s “NATO first, not NATO only” mantra, proving that both Queen Elizabeth‑class carriers can sustain long‑range operations while carrying a mixed load of Wildcat Sea‑Venom missiles and F‑35B jets. The successful IOC for the Sea‑Venom and the declaration of Full Operational Capacity for the F‑35B complement underscored a step‑change in Royal Navy combat power.

The deployment was a showcase of alliance interoperability, weaving together the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative, the Five Power Defence Arrangements, and AUKUS partnerships. British ships trained alongside Italy’s Cavour, France’s Charles de Gaulle, Japan’s Kaga, the United States’ George Washington, India’s Vikrant, and Australian vessels, conducting joint air‑wing exercises, replenishment at sea, and cross‑deck landings. These drills not only sharpened tactical coordination but also reinforced political messages of unity, from the Hiroshima Accord to the UK‑Japan defence pact. By embedding frigates from Norway, Portugal, Spain and Canada, the CSG demonstrated the UK’s convening power to marshal a multinational maritime presence.

Beyond the operational showcase, Highmast sends a clear deterrence signal to Beijing and other regional actors, confirming the UK’s willingness to project power far from home waters despite simultaneous Red Sea challenges. The experience raises strategic questions about the sustainability of a two‑carrier navy, the optimal balance between Euro‑Atlantic and Indo‑Pacific commitments, and the integration of hybrid air‑wing concepts that blend manned F‑35Bs with autonomous drones. As the Royal Navy plans to expand its F‑35B fleet to up to 138 aircraft and replace aging frigates with Type‑26 and Type‑31 vessels, the lessons from Highmast will shape procurement, training, and alliance‑driven doctrine for the next decade.