Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:
The UK Carrier Strike Group deployment may be a major moment for UK defence as we develop this leading edge capability across the world .
The group is sailing the Indian Ocean and can shortly conduct exercises with the Indian Navy, building on our already strong partnership with a crucial ally and friend.
The deployment illustrates the UK’s enduring commitment to global defence and security, strengthening our existing alliances and forging new partnerships with like-minded countries as we confront to the challenges of the 21st century.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said:
The Carrier Strike Group deployment marks the beginning of a replacement era of defence cooperation with allies in India and therefore the Indo-Pacific.
By visiting 40 countries and dealing alongside our partners, the united kingdom is standing up for democratic values, seizing new trading opportunities and tackling the shared threats we face together.
The deployment will interact with India, strengthening our already deep ties for the advantage of both our peoples’ security and prosperity.
British diplomat to India, Alex Ellis, said:
The Carrier Strike Group may be a powerful demonstration of our commitment to the safety of India and therefore the Indo-Pacific. Its arrival follows the UK’s first International Liaison Officer joining the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram.
Today marks another step towards delivering the ambition began jointly by our Prime Ministers within the 2030 Roadmap, bringing our countries, economies and other people closer together.
Further information
Free-to-use photos of the Carrier Strike Group are available to download here.
As a part of its maiden operational deployment, the CSG will sail over 26,000 nautical miles, engaging with 40 countries from the Mediterranean to the Indo-Pacific and back again.
This deployment will provide tangible reassurance and security to our friends and a reputable deterrence to those that seek to undermine global security.
As the spearhead of UK’s Joint Expeditionary capability and a cornerstone of the UK’s conventional military deterrent, the CSG comprises nine ships, 32 aircraft and one submarine and is manned by 3,700 sailors, aviators and marines from the combined forces of the united kingdom , US and therefore the Netherlands.
The fifth generation HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier, at 65,000 tonnes, is that the largest surface vessel ever constructed within the UK. Taller than Niagara Falls, her propellers generate the facility of fifty high-speed trains. She leads six Royal Navy ships, a Royal Navy submarine, a United States Navy destroyer and a frigate from Netherlands within the largest concentration of maritime and aviation to go away the united kingdom during a generation. it’s equipped with the fifth generation F-35B Lightning multi-role aircrafts. they’re being jointly crewed by the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and therefore the US United States Marine Corps .
From defending democratic values and tackling shared threats, to seizing new trade opportunities through engagements with Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Japan, India et al. , the deployment marks a step-change in UK engagement within the region. the united kingdom is already investing significantly within the region by seeking ASEAN Dialogue Partner status, beginning negotiations to hitch the great and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and rapidly progressing trade talks with Australia, New Zealand and India.