The carrier would take its contingent of state-of-the-art F-35 stealth fighter jets into a region where “China is developing its modern military capability and its commercial power,” Williamson said in an address to the Royal United Services Institute think tank in London.īut the presence of any foreign warships in the South China Sea is frowned upon by China. Specific dates for the first deployment have yet to be announced.īritons flock to see largest aircraft carrier (2017) Carrier strike group staff are planning for the Queen Elizabeth’s first operational deployment, which Moorhouse said would encompass the Royal Navy’s largest peacetime task group in 25 years and be proof of Britain’s commitment to maintaining worldwide security – “a visible demonstration of Global Britain,” Moorhouse called it. In a followup tweet, he hinted at what is to come. “In practical terms, my Strike Group is now at Very High Readiness, meaning we are at 5 days’ notice to deploy, if required, in response to global events & in defence of British interests,” Moorehouse tweeted. The commander of carrier strike group, Commodore Steve Moorehouse, touted his unit’s readiness in a Twitter post. This achievement is a testament to the determination of our service personnel and industry workforce who have delivered this first-rate military capability, a capability held by only a handful of nations,” UK Defense Minister Jeremy Quin said in a statement. “This is a hugely significant milestone for HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy and the whole country. Qualified pilots and ground crews are on notice. The designation means the 65,000-ton carrier, its air assets including F-35 stealth fighter jets and helicopters, as well as its escorting destroyers, frigates, submarines and supply ships, are ready to deploy within five days of receiving orders to do so. The Royal Navy announced on Monday that the UK’s Carrier Strike Group, centered on Britain’s largest ever warship, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, had achieved initial operating capability. Taking to social media, he said: "We are looking forward to elements of #CSG21 working alongside you in this truly international exercise.Britain is officially an aircraft carrier power again. Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha and replenishment tanker HMNZS Aotearoa, with a Seasprite helicopter on board, recently departed Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf for a two to three month deployment.Ĭommodore Steve Moorhouse of the UK CSG has said the group is looking forward to working alongside the New Zealand Defence Force. READ MORE: HMS Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales make history in 'extraordinary achievement for Royal Navy'Īlthough it is not known where she or other vessels from her group will head next, it has been confirmed that vessels from the group will interact with the New Zealand Defence Force at some point during their deployment. HMS Queen Elizabeth most recently stopped in Guam for the second time in 2021 to undergo scheduled maintenance. The CSG, led by Portsmouth-based aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, will meet forces from New Zealand in the Indo-Pacific region after the Royal Navy invited the country to interact with the UK CSG. The UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will interact with the New Zealand Defence Force over the coming weeks, it has been announced.
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