The United Kingdom will deploy its Carrier Strike Group to the North Atlantic and High North, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced.
Led by the HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy’s second and newest aircraft carrier, the carrier strike group will operate alongside the U.S. Navy, Canada, and other NATO members.
As part of Operation Firecrest, the Royal Navy will deploy the HMS Prince of Wales and its carrier strike group to the North Atlantic and High North to send a message against Russian aggression.
London decided to deploy the HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group in the North Atlantic and the High North after incidents of aggression by Russian surface warships and submarines increased by 30% in just two years. Tellingly, Russian submarine activity in the region is back to the same levels it was during the Cold War.
According to Starmer, the deployment of the Royal Navy’s newest aircraft carrier is intended as a “powerful show” of commitment to Euro-Atlantic security.
The Royal Navy’s carrier strike group will work alongside NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group 1. The NATO unit is also led by the U.K., with the HMS Dragon Type 45 air defense destroyer acting as the command ship throughout 2026.
“Proud to support the Prime Minister’s strategy for Euro-Atlantic security,” First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said in a post on X.
The HMS Prince of Wales recently returned from a deployment in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific areas of operation.
“[HMS Prince of Wales] stands ready. Leading our [joint expeditionary force] partners with deeper collaboration than ever, the Royal Navy is central to the defense of the North Atlantic and High North,” the First Sea Lord added.
Jenkins is the first Royal Marines officer to ascend to the top of the Royal Navy. Similar to the U.S. military, the Royal Marines fall under the navy. However, unlike in the U.S., the Royal Marines are not considered a separate service. In addition to being a Royal Marines officer, Jenkins has served in the elite Special Boat Service (SBS), the U.K. equivalent of SEAL Team 6.
Bolstering NATO’s European deterrence
The deployment of the HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group is part of London’s broader effort to reassert the European arm of transatlantic security and bolster NATO’s overall deterrence.
The British Prime Minister revealed that the U.K. is working with France to bolster Europe’s nuclear strike capabilities, as well.
“That is why we are enhancing our nuclear cooperation with France,” Starmer stated.
“For decades, the U.K. has been the only nuclear power in Europe to commit its deterrent to protect all NATO members. But now any adversary must know that in a crisis, they could be confronted by our combined strength,” the British Prime Minister added.
Recently, London also announced its participation in Arctic Sentry, NATO’s mission to the Arctic; it will also be increasing its contingent in Norway in response to Russian activity.
The deployment of a carrier strike group, the commitment to work with France in bolstering NATO’s European nuclear strike capabilities, and its increased presence in the Arctic show that the U.K. remains a leader in transatlantic and European security.
Feature Image: ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 11, 2019) The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09) completes sea trials prior to her first entry to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth as seen from the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101). (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Cameron Stoner)
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