UK's Carrier Strike Group Achieves Full Operational Capability During NATO Drill in Mediterranean
HMS Prince of Wales-led strike group declared front-line ready after Exercise Falcon Strike with 24 F-35B jets aboard
The United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), centred on aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09), has been formally declared fully operational after participating in Exercise Falcon Strike in the Mediterranean, the Royal Navy announced this week.
The milestone marks the group as ready for front-line deployment under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) framework.
During the two-week exercise from 3 to 14 November 2025, the strike group embarked 24 fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II fighters and conducted nearly 50 sorties alongside Italian, French, Greek and U.S. air assets—the largest concentration of such jets ever deployed aboard a UK carrier.
Participation in the drills satisfied the criteria for full operating capability, including sustained sortie generation, air defence integration and multinational interoperability.
The declaration follows an eight-month global deployment known as Operation Highmast, which included missions in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean designed to advance carrier-strike capability in partnership with allies.
The Royal Navy noted that the CSG now enters NATO’s ready-force pool, enhancing the alliance’s rapid-response posture in maritime strike and air operations.
U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey described the achievement as “a proud moment for Britain” and said the carrier group’s readiness represents “our hard power and strong alliances”.
NATO sources confirmed the group will undertake upcoming joint drills, including the Neptune Strike 25‑4 exercise alongside the Italian navy, with operations stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea region.
The strike group’s success highlights the U.K.’s commitment to high-end maritime capabilities and demonstrates the increasing role of carrier-borne fifth-generation aircraft in alliance deterrence plans.
The next phase will see continued integration with allied forces and real-world readiness through complex multi-domain missions across Europe and beyond.
With full operational capability achieved, the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group stands ready to project power, build interoperability and reinforce NATO’s maritime strategy during an era of evolving security challenges.
The milestone marks the group as ready for front-line deployment under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) framework.
During the two-week exercise from 3 to 14 November 2025, the strike group embarked 24 fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II fighters and conducted nearly 50 sorties alongside Italian, French, Greek and U.S. air assets—the largest concentration of such jets ever deployed aboard a UK carrier.
Participation in the drills satisfied the criteria for full operating capability, including sustained sortie generation, air defence integration and multinational interoperability.
The declaration follows an eight-month global deployment known as Operation Highmast, which included missions in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean designed to advance carrier-strike capability in partnership with allies.
The Royal Navy noted that the CSG now enters NATO’s ready-force pool, enhancing the alliance’s rapid-response posture in maritime strike and air operations.
U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey described the achievement as “a proud moment for Britain” and said the carrier group’s readiness represents “our hard power and strong alliances”.
NATO sources confirmed the group will undertake upcoming joint drills, including the Neptune Strike 25‑4 exercise alongside the Italian navy, with operations stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea region.
The strike group’s success highlights the U.K.’s commitment to high-end maritime capabilities and demonstrates the increasing role of carrier-borne fifth-generation aircraft in alliance deterrence plans.
The next phase will see continued integration with allied forces and real-world readiness through complex multi-domain missions across Europe and beyond.
With full operational capability achieved, the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group stands ready to project power, build interoperability and reinforce NATO’s maritime strategy during an era of evolving security challenges.
