The British aircraft carrier strike group HMS Queen Elizabeth will set sail next month for a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, visiting India, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and more than 40 other countries; Defense Secretary Wallace described the operation as supporting a “globalized Britain. The outside world believes that the British side took the opportunity to show the Chinese Communist Party and Russia maritime power.
The Royal Navy strike group is centered on the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, which carries 18 F35B stealth fighters from both the U.K. and U.S. forces, accompanied by two British destroyers, two frigates, two supply ships and a nuclear attack submarine, with a U.S. Navy SHIELD destroyer and a Royal Netherlands Navy frigate also joining in support. The British side described it as the largest naval and air force build-up from the UK in a generation.
The British aircraft carrier strike group is seen as a demonstration of its ambition to strengthen its presence in Asia. Wallis issued a statement on Monday (26), saying that the mission shows that Britain is not backward but sailing forward, playing an active role in shaping the international system. He said, “The aircraft carrier strike group will project our influence, demonstrate our power, reach out to our friends and reaffirm our commitment to meeting the security challenges of today and tomorrow.”
Japanese media reported that the British and Japanese governments reached a consensus that HMS Queen Elizabeth would then make her first port call to Japan and conduct joint exercises with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. It is worth mentioning that the Japanese Self-Defense Force also procured F35B, carried by the Izumo-class helicopter frigate being modified, so the exercise is expected to enhance the cooperation and use of both sides.
The British media reported earlier that two of the British ships accompanying the Queen Elizabeth will part ways with the fleet next month and sail into the Black Sea from the Mediterranean to show the British side’s support for Ukraine and counterbalance Russia.
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