The UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG21) is set for its maiden deployment in a globe spanning mission. The size and scope of the voyage will be the largest concentration of maritime and air power in a generation.
The deployment will last for 28 weeks and span 26,000 nautical miles as it visits India, Japan, Republic of Korea and Singapore. The group is anticipated to visit more than 40 countries and undertake over 70 engagements as the UK tilts towards the Indo-Pacific region.
The strike group is to be led by the UK’s new aircraft carrier the HMS Queen Elizabeth, Joining the leader of the fleet will be a surface fleet of Type 45 destroyers, HMS Defender and HMS Diamond, Type 23 anti-submarine frigates HMS Kent and HMS Richmond, and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring. Below the surface support will be provided by a Royal Navy Astute-class submarine, armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The deployment will integrate NATO allies as well as worldwide allies as it is joined primarily by support from the US and Netherlands. On the Mediterranean leg of the deployment, another close NATO Ally will provide a period of dual carrier operations when French Aircraft Carrier Charles De Gaulle sails alongside HMS Queen Elizabeth
The scope of the mission is to reaffirm commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, providing deeper engagement with allies in support of shared prosperity and stability. The engagements with allies is to show governments commitment to the recently published Integrated Review into foreign, defence, security and development policy.
Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said that ‘’ When our Carrier Strike Group sets sail next month, it will be flying the flag for Global Britain – projecting our influence, signalling our power, engaging with our friends and reaffirming our commitment to addressing the security challenges of today and tomorrow.
The entire nation can be proud of the dedicated men and women who for more than six months will demonstrate to the world that the UK is not stepping back but sailing forth to play an active role in shaping the international system of the 21st Century.’’
The UK Carrier Strike Group will be NATO’s first 5th generation Carrier Strike Group, underlining the UK’s leading role in the NATO Alliance.
CSG21 will participate in NATO exercises such as Exercise Steadfast Defender, and provide support to NATO Operation Sea Guardian and maritime security operations in the Black Sea.
