US and NATO Ally Flex Aircraft Carrier Muscles in Pacific
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Aircraft carriers deployed by the United States and the United Kingdom conducted joint operations during a war game amid concerns over China's increasing presence in the Pacific.
The operations—which took place in the Timor Sea, north of Australia, as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025—followed China's simultaneous deployment of a pair of aircraft carriers in the western Pacific in June, in a move seen as challenging U.S. naval dominance.
Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The American aircraft carrier, USS George Washington, is one of the U.S. naval vessels based in Japan. Prior to its deployment near Australia, the nuclear-powered warship patrolled the South China Sea, where China is involved in territorial disputes with regional countries.
Meanwhile, HMS Prince of Wales, a British aircraft carrier, has been leading a naval strike group on an eight-month mission since April. It is scheduled to visit Japan later this summer.
The deployment of the Prince of Wales marked the fourth time a European North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member state has dispatched an aircraft carrier to the Indo-Pacific since 2021, supporting efforts to keep China in check while the U.S. remains preoccupied with tensions in the Middle East.
The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, front, and the United States aircraft carrier USS George Washington, back, sail in formation in the Timor Sea on July 18.
The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, front, and the United States aircraft carrier USS George Washington, back, sail in formation in the Timor Sea on July 18.
Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nicolas Quezada/U.S. Navy
What To Know
The USS George Washington, accompanied by the cruiser USS Robert Smalls and the destroyer USS Shoup, participated in dual aircraft carrier operations with the Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group in the Timor Sea on Friday, according to photos released by the U.S. Navy.
The Prince of Wales was joined by two British ships—the destroyer HMS Dauntless and the tanker RFA Tidespring—alongside the Australian destroyer HMAS Sydney, the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen, and the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec.
In addition to naval vessels sailing in formation, U.S. Navy aircraft were seen flying over the joint U.S.-U.K. carrier strike group. The aircraft, including F-35C stealth fighter jets, were assigned to the Carrier Air Wing 5, which was deployed aboard the USS George Washington.
The Prince of Wales also carried up to two dozen F-35B fighter jets, which are capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings on ships without full-length runways, while the F-35C—one of their sister variants—is specifically designed for operations from aircraft carriers.
The Royal Navy said this powerful demonstration of naval power brought together advanced capabilities and carrier aviation, describing the formation as a "mighty allied naval force."
The U.S. also deployed the amphibious assault ship USS America, which operates F-35B aircraft, for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. According to U.S. Navy photos, the warship was seen conducting flight operations in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia, on Wednesday.
The United States George Washington Carrier Strike Group sails alongside the British Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group in the Timor Sea on July 18.
The United States George Washington Carrier Strike Group sails alongside the British Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group in the Timor Sea on July 18.
Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nicolas Quezada/U.S. Navy
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Navy said in a photo caption on Friday: "Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners, while enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns."
The Royal Navy said in a press release on Friday: "As allies demonstrate their commitment to the collective security of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. Navy's George Washington Carrier Strike Group joined up with the U.K. Carrier Strike Group for dual carrier operations in the Timor Sea—between the Australian mainland and Timor-Leste and Indonesia."
What Happens Next?
It remains to be seen whether the USS America will join the USS George Washington and the Prince of Wales during the exercise in Australian waters, forming a triple F-35 carrier strike group.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
12 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Turkey and Britain sign preliminary deal for Eurofighter Typhoon jets
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey and Britain on Wednesday signed a preliminary agreement for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey, a significant step in Ankara's efforts to modernize its air fleet. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and his British counterpart, John Healey, inked a memorandum of understanding during a defense industry fair in Istanbul, Turkey's Ministry of National Defense said. NATO member Turkey has long aimed to buy 40 Eurofighter jets, which are built by a consortium of British, German and Italian companies. Germany reportedly initially opposed the sale but later reversed its position. Britain led negotiations on behalf of the consortium. A Turkish defense ministry statement said the memorandum takes the two countries 'one step closer to a full agreement on the Typhoon.' 'Both Ministers welcome signature as a positive step towards bringing Turkey into the Typhoon club and share a mutual ambition to conclude the necessary arrangements as soon as possible,' it added. Turkish officials have said that they are still negotiating over pricing and technical terms, saying that they have received an initial offer and expect to submit a counter-proposal. Turkey is also seeking to return to the U.S.-led F-35 fighter jet program, from which the country was ousted in 2019, following its purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems. The U.S. said the systems posed a risk to the F-35s. Turkey is also developing a domestic fifth-generation fighter jet, the KAAN, which is slated to be operational in 2028.
The Hill
42 minutes ago
- The Hill
Turkey and Britain sign preliminary deal for Eurofighter Typhoon jets
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey and Britain on Wednesday signed a preliminary agreement for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey, a significant step in Ankara's efforts to modernize its air fleet. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and his British counterpart, John Healey, inked a memorandum of understanding during a defense industry fair in Istanbul, Turkey's Ministry of National Defense said. NATO member Turkey has long aimed to buy 40 Eurofighter jets, which are built by a consortium of British, German and Italian companies. Germany reportedly initially opposed the sale but later reversed its position. Britain led negotiations on behalf of the consortium. A Turkish defense ministry statement said the memorandum takes the two countries 'one step closer to a full agreement on the Typhoon.' 'Both Ministers welcome signature as a positive step towards bringing Turkey into the Typhoon club and share a mutual ambition to conclude the necessary arrangements as soon as possible,' it added. Turkish officials have said that they are still negotiating over pricing and technical terms, saying that they have received an initial offer and expect to submit a counter-proposal. Turkey is also seeking to return to the U.S.-led F-35 fighter jet program, from which the country was ousted in 2019, following its purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems. The U.S. said the systems posed a risk to the F-35s. Turkey is also developing a domestic fifth-generation fighter jet, the KAAN, which is slated to be operational in 2028.
Newsweek
43 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Photos Show US Ally Flexing Missile Power Amid China Threat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Japan—a key United States ally in the Western Pacific—showcased its ship-sinking and air-defense capabilities during live-fire drills in Australia amid China's growing military threat. The live-fire events were part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025—an ongoing multinational war game involving the U.S. and 18 other countries from the Indo-Pacific, North America, and Europe—designed to test and rehearse capabilities in support of regional stability. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment via email. Why It Matters China has expanded its military presence—particularly its navy—across the Western Pacific in recent years, raising alarms among the U.S. and its regional allies. It has also built up a large missile arsenal capable of striking Japan, including U.S. military bases located there. Japan—a key element of the U.S. island chain strategy to contain China in the Western Pacific—has been bolstering its defenses against potential Chinese aggression by upgrading its ship-killing weapons and acquiring advanced warships capable of intercepting missiles. Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 has previously featured two live-fire events involving anti-ship missiles, including a strike on a maritime target by a U.S. land-based missile system. What To Know Photos released by the Australian military on Tuesday show that the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducted a "live-fire surface engagement" at the Beecroft Weapons Range in New South Wales, on the east coast of Australia, firing two Type 12 anti-ship missiles. A Type 12 anti-ship missile is launched by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at Beecroft Weapons Range near Jervis Bay in Australia on July 22, 2025. A Type 12 anti-ship missile is launched by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at Beecroft Weapons Range near Jervis Bay in Australia on July 22, 2025. PTE Alex Brown/Australian Department of Defense via AP The missiles were launched from a truck-mounted platform and flew toward a floating target located 18.6 miles offshore in Jervis Bay, following different trajectories. Exercise director, Australian Brigadier Damian Hill, said both missiles struck the target simultaneously. The Type 12 anti-ship missile is capable of hitting maritime targets approximately 124 miles away. An upgraded version—with a modified missile shape—extends the flight range to at least 559 miles, and eventually up to 745 miles, according to the specialist outlet Naval News. Prior to the anti-ship missile drill, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile system conducted firing at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, northeastern Australia, on July 14, according to released footage and imagery. "Through anti-aircraft firing training targeting cruise missiles and other threats, we aim to enhance our firing capabilities while strengthening coordination with participating countries, including the United States and Australia," the Joint Staff of Japan's Defense Ministry said. The Type 03 surface-to-air missile is a land-based air defense system with a reported range of 31 miles, capable of engaging targets such as cruise missiles, fighter jets, and helicopters. What People Are Saying Lieutenant General Joel B. Vowell, deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Pacific, said in a press release on July 13: "By rehearsing, by practicing together, by staying in tune with each other, we are providing that readiness to our armies, our navies, our air forces, our space forces, our cyber forces." Japan's defense white paper 2025 read: "China has been swiftly increasing its national defense expenditures, thereby extensively and rapidly enhancing its military capability in a qualitative and quantitative manner and intensifying its activities in the East China Sea, including around the Senkaku Islands, and the Pacific." The Senkaku Islands are an islet group in the East China Sea, ruled by Japan but claimed by both China and Taiwan as the Diaoyu Islands and the Diaoyutai Islands, respectively. A Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile is launched by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Australia on July 14, 2025. A Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile is launched by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Australia on July 14, 2025. Australian Department of Defense What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether additional live-fire drills will be conducted during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, which began on July 13 and is scheduled to conclude on August 4.
