HMS Prince of Wales Sets Sail from Singapore for Talisman Sabre, Begins 4.5-Month Indo-Pacific Tour

Hanson Seah

IN FOCUS | 60 IMAGES

01. F-35Bs against the iconic Marina Bay skyline, pictured from the bridge of HMS Prince of Wales.
02. HMS Prince of Wales departs Singapore, 29 June 2025.

29 June 2025 – HMS Prince of Wales has set sail from Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS) after a historic six-day port call, which took place during the 60th anniversary of UK–Singapore relations. During its stay, the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) served not only as a demonstration of military capability but also as a diplomatic and trade mission, engaging with Singaporean counterparts across defence, commerce, and public outreach. Science and technology featured prominently during this port visit, including the Defence and Security Industry Day (DSID) hosted aboard the carrier to showcase cutting-edge innovations in the UK maritime sector.

Singapore marks the starting point of a 4.5-month tour for the Indo-Pacific leg of CSG25, also known as Operation HIGHMAST. Upcoming key exercises include Talisman Sabre, which the group is currently sailing towards, and Bersama Lima, scheduled for the return leg of the deployment.

Reaffirming Commitment to the Indo-Pacific

CSG25’s objectives encompass three main pillars: achieving Full Operating Capability (FOC) for the UK Carrier Strike Group, strengthening partnerships with Indo-Pacific allies, and reinforcing commitments with NATO—which serves to highlight the indivisibility of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security.

One example of this commitment is UK’s initiative on the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative (ECGII), which synchronises and sequences European carrier deployments to the Indo-Pacific while maintaining force presence in the European theatre.

In the past year, three NATO carrier strike groups have visited Singapore and the wider Indo-Pacific region:

Separately, the Royal Navy has maintained a forward presence in the Indo-Pacific since 2021 through the deployment of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) HMS Spey and HMS Tamar. The Littoral Response Group (South) also deployed to the region during 2024.

UK’s Vision for Carrier Operations

CSG25 seeks to move beyond integration and interoperability, towards interchangeability.

To support this, efforts are underway to deepen interoperability alongside multinational partners, beyond the traditional relationships (e.g., UK-US) or the NATO alliance where tactical coordination and shared procedures have already been well-established. By engaging bilaterally and collaborating with Five Eyes and IP4 partners, it is hoped that CSG25 can achieve seamless and global “plug-and-play” cooperation.

Integration focuses on secure communications through common cryptographic and communication protocols, providing information-sharing capability that underpins the force-multiplying value of CSG25.

Interchangeability takes a step further, and will be the hallmark objective made possible with prior integration and interoperability efforts. For instance, CSG25 seeks to demonstrate this by handing over air and missile defence responsibilities from HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 destroyer, to other capable vessels such as the Spanish Navy’s ESPS Méndez Núñez or a US Navy destroyer, on a as-needed basis. Similarly, a demonstration of interchangeability during CSG25 will be the embark of F-35s from allied nations.

Separately, the recent UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) outlined an emphasis on hybrid capabilities. For the UK CSG, this also means the integration of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) with traditional crewed assets. Uncrewed platforms such as the Malloy T-150 and Puma UAVs are already being tested within CSG25’s air wing. Over the next decade, the UK aims to evolve this mix—drawing on lessons from contemporary conflicts, particularly in Russia-Ukraine—to enhance the force enabling and force multiplying effect of these systems in the CSG context.

Towards Full Operating Capability (FOC)

During the Singapore stop, the structure of the CSG25 deployment was briefed.

Following the retirement of the Royal Navy’s Harrier GR9 fleet in 2010 and the decommissioning of the Invincible-class carriers by 2014, the UK experienced a capability gap in deploying fixed wing assets at sea. With the commissioning of the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers—HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2017 and HMS Prince of Wales in 2019—the UK began re-establishing its carrier strike credentials, now equipped with a fifth-generation air wing.

CSG21 (Operation FORTIS) marked the achievement of Initial Operating Capability (IOC). Now, CSG25 is working towards FOC, with an eight-phase, 223-day deployment that commenced in April 2025.

  • Phase 1: Focused on NATO integration in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, including transferring operational control of HMS Prince of Wales to NATO and participating in Exercise Med Strike 25 alongside the Italian Navy Cavour CSG. The phase ended with a port call in Souda Bay, Crete.
  • Phase 2: Involved the transit from the Mediterranean through the Middle East, Red Sea, and Bab al-Mandab Strait, culminating in the group’s arrival in the Indo-Pacific on 12 June.
  • Phase 3 (Part 1): Included exercises with the Indian Navy and integration of HMNZS Te Kaha into the CSG. The group arrived in Singapore on 23 June, with a regional dispersal of ships across Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia to maximise defence engagement.
  • Phase 3 (Part 2): Began with HMS Prince of Wales’ departure on 29 June, joined by HMAS Sydney en route to Australia for Exercise Talisman Sabre (13 July – 4 August). This major fifth-generation, multinational exercise will provide the opportunity to employ the 18 F-35Bs embarked into a complex air campaign with 19 partner nations. A key milestone will be the simultaneous launch of eight F-35Bs—a FOC objective for the ‘Lightning Force’. A port call in Darwin will follow, with a focus on AUKUS and minilateral engagements.
  • Phase 4: The CSG will move north to the Philippine Sea to exercise with the US Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (which will bring out the helicopter carrier JS Kaga), and the Republic of Korea Navy. Integration with VMFA-242 (USMC) is planned. A port call to Japan will include the Pacific Future Forum (29–30 August) and maintenance activities.
  • Phase 5: Southbound transit through the South China Sea leading into Exercise Bersama Lima in September, marking the first carrier participation in the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) exercise since 1997. A follow-up port call in Singapore is planned.
  • Phase 6: Transit through the Malacca Strait into the Bay of Bengal, with expanded naval exercises off India and a port visit to Mumbai.
  • Phase 7: Return transit through the Middle East.
  • Phase 8: Final operations in the Mediterranean with NATO, involving a larger and more capable CSG. Exercise Falcon Strike will serve as the final demonstration of FOC. The air wing is expected to expand to a full complement of 24 F-35Bs during this phase.

In Pictures: Best of the Singapore Port Call

Over the past week, the MAphotoSG team captured exclusive imagery of HMS Prince of Wales during its historic visit to Singapore. Enjoy a chronological visual recap of the port call—featuring the carrier against Singapore’s iconic skyline and highlighting the capabilities of the Royal Navy’s fifth-generation flagship.

03. HMS Prince of Wales arriving at Marina Bay Cruise Centre, 23 June 2025.
04. Royal Navy sailors line the carrier in “Procedure Alpha” as the HM Royal Marines Band Portsmouth performs during the welcome ceremony.
05. Drum major of the HM Royal Marines Band Portsmouth with a uniquely designed mace.
06. Royal Navy sailors take in the sights and sounds while manning the rails for the arrival ceremony.
07. CSG25 involves all branches of the British Armed Forces, along with embedded officers from 13 nations.
08. A Royal Navy sailor stands guard at one of the carrier’s portholes, armed with an SA80 rifle.
09. VIP delegation exchanging greetings. From left: Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Sharon Nesmith, British High Commissioner to Singapore HE Nik Mehta, Commander of CSG25 Commodore James Blackmore, and Commanding Officer of HMS Prince of Wales Captain Will Blackett.
10. The Prince of Wales’s feathers and his German motto Ich Dien (“I Serve”) featured on the carrier’s funnel badge.
11. A thumbs-up from sailors delighted by the warm welcome from the local crowd.
12. British High Commissioner to Singapore HE Nik Mehta waves to sailors.
13. ESPS Méndez Núñez sails alongside RSS Dauntless in the Singapore Strait, escorting the carrier on 23 June. The Spanish frigate would later arrive in Jakarta on 27 June with HMS Richmond for defence engagement activities.
14. HMS Dauntless sails along the Johor Strait on 19 June, bound for the BDSSU facility in Sembawang, Singapore.
15. HMS Prince of Wales towers over the cruise centre and the city skyline.
16. Onboard HMS Prince of Wales for a media tour, 24 June 2025.
17. FLYCO, the flight control centre, features the “largest windows at sea” to provide unobstructed views of the flight deck.
18. Patch wall in FLYCO.
19. F-35B seen from FLYCO.
20. A duo of Merlin HM2 helicopters seen from FLYCO.
21. The aft island of HMS Prince of Wales, which houses FLYCO. Also visible in the foreground is one of two aircraft lifts, capable of transferring two F-35Bs between the hangar and flight deck in 60 seconds.
22. The forward island of HMS Prince of Wales, which houses the bridge. While the twin-island design facilitates complex exhaust routing, it also provides redundancy—either island can take over FLYCO or bridge navigational duties if needed.
23. A stunning view of the forward section of the flight deck, featuring a 12-degree ski jump to facilitate STOVL operations by the F-35Bs.
24. A Royal Navy sailor admires the view from the bridge wing of HMS Prince of Wales.
25. HMS Prince of Wales pictured against the distinctive facade of Marina Bay Cruise Centre, whose roof design is reminiscent of ocean waves.
26. The ship’s plaque displayed as the centrepiece on the bridge.
27. Conning station on the bridge of HMS Prince of Wales.
28. The captain’s seat, manufactured by CALLUM Designs. Ian Callum, founder of the company, is a renowned designer for Jaguar automobiles.
29. Key military commanders for CSG25. From left: Captain Will Blackett (Commanding Officer, HMS Prince of Wales), Commodore James Blackmore (Commander, CSG25), and Captain Colin McGannity (Commander Air Group).
30. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy personnel pose on the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales.
31. The large flight deck is repurposed for physical training in the early morning.
32. Sailors prepare to take their bikes ashore to explore the bustling city of Singapore.
33. Shore leave was rotated among crew members. AAW specialists patrol the flight deck while on sentry duty.
34. F-35Bs against the Marina Bay skyline. A total of 17 F-35Bs were embarked during the Singapore port call, with one grounded in Thiruvananthapuram, southern India, due to technical issues following a prior diversion. Up to 24 F-35Bs are expected to operate with the CSG during the final phase of Operation HIGHMAST.
35. The CSG25 air wing comprises 750 personnel, including F-35B crew from RAF Squadron 617 “Dambusters” and 809 Naval Air Squadron “Phoenix.”
36. Wildcat maritime attack helicopters operated by 815 Naval Air Squadron were also seen on the flight deck.
37. The air wing also includes Merlin HM2 Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopters and Merlin HC4 assault helicopters, operated by 820 Naval Air Squadron and the Commando Helicopter Force, respectively.
38. Merlin HM2 helicopters fitted with Crowsnest for Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC).
39. Mr Martin Kent, HM Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, presents during the Defence and Security Industry Day (DSID) on the afternoon of 24 June.
40. A jet-suit flight demonstration by Sussex-based Gravity Industries during DSID.
41. F-35B on static display in the hangar bay as a centrepiece during DSID.
42. Over 30 UK businesses set up booths with product showcases, including the MBDA Meteor missile for the UK’s F-35Bs.
43. Signing of a strategic collaboration between Horstman and ST Engineering, witnessed by Peter Kyle, UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (second row, centre).
44. HMS Prince of Wales bustles with activity from dawn to dusk, hosting nearly 20 events during the port call.
45. Expert panel event on global and regional security, held on 25 June.
46. HMS Prince of Wales pictured during the day and night as the flight deck is lit up and readied for operations ahead of departure.
47. A docked cruise ship offers a sense of scale compared to the carrier.
48. The location of the port call offered a visual treat for the public—photographers gathered at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre to catch a glimpse of the carrier.
49. The Singapore state flag flies over HMS Prince of Wales during a National Day Parade rehearsal on the evening of 28 June.
50. Harbour launch craft make their rounds along the busy Keppel Fairway, eclipsed by the massive carrier.
51. Drone shot of HMS Prince of Wales and the Singapore Strait at dusk.
52. Members of the public gather at the cruise centre car park for an up-close view of the F-35Bs.
53. Families made special weekend trips for a rare glimpse of the aircraft carrier.
54. Royal Navy sailors keep watch tirelessly.
55. A simple sunset ceremony held, marking the end of each day.
56. A persistent crowd along the Marina South coastline even after nightfall, eager to witness the scale of the carrier
57. Preparations underway to remove the gangway ahead of departure on the morning of 29 June.
58. The flight and deck movements board becomes increasingly busy as operations resume at sea.
59. HMS Prince of Wales slips away from Singapore, once again flanked by the iconic skyline.
60. HMS Prince of Wales links up with RSS Fortitude as it sails through the Singapore Strait. Meanwhile, sailors lower the naval ensign, signifying the ship is underway.
Bonus: Video summary of CSG’s six-day port call in Singapore.

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