Latest news with #UKNavy
Saudi Gazette
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
UK aircraft carrier in Indo-Pacific on rare deployment
LONDON — A British aircraft carrier has docked in Singapore on a rare Indo-Pacific deployment which will see it call on Australia, Japan, Korea and take part in several multinational exercises. HMS Prince of Wales' visit comes weeks after two Chinese aircraft carriers concluded simultaneous drills in the region, in an unprecedented move prompting Japan's protest. The carrier strike group's commander James Blackmore says he does not expect conflict with Chinese counterparts, noting the UK and China each "has every right to sail its ships in international sea space". "I almost expect they'll want to come and want to watch what we're doing... Lots of other parties will wish to witness what we're doing," he tells the BBC. "But I do recognise it will be safe and professional. That's the way we operate in the maritime." Just last week, China had criticised another British warship HMS Spey's passage through the Taiwan Strait as an act of "intentional provocation" that "undermines peace and stability".HMS Spey is one of two British warships - the other being HMS Tamar - permanently on patrol in the Prince of Wales, which docked in Singapore on Monday, is one of the UK Navy's largest ships with a flight deck large enough to fit three football its eight-month deployment, HMS Prince of Wales will be supported by ships from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and Spain, among deployment begins with around 2,500 military personnel and will grow to over 4,500 for some key warship's presence in the Indo-Pacific also comes at a time when Washington has become more unpredictable, which introduces uncertainty to military alliances in the instance, it is now reviewing its multi-billion dollar submarine deal with the UK and how crucial the Aukus pact is to his carrier strike group's mission, Commodore Blackmore declined to comment, noting that the deal is "being entirely dealt with at a government to government level".The group is headed down under next month to participate in an Australia-led exercise which will involve the US and other regional will then sail through the Philippine Sea to Japan, where it will support Japanese authorities in developing the country's F-35 capability, Commodore Blackmore Prince of Wales' deployment demonstrates the UK's commitment to the region, he adds."It's about upholding a rules-based international order and recognising the importance of trade between a free and open Indo-Pacific and the European theatre," he its way home in September, HMS Prince of Wales will take part in the annual warfighting exercise of the Five Power Defence Arrangements - referring to defence pacts between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK established in last time a UK aircraft carrier joined these drills was in 1971. — BBC
The Star
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
UK aircraft carrier docks at Marina Bay Cruise Centre
SINGAPORE: British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, one of the largest warships in the world, has docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre. The carrier, whose flight deck is large enough to fit three football pitches, is making its first formal port call in the region at the head of a group of ships on a multi-nation, UK-led deployment. While docked in Singapore, the warship will play host to some 8,000 members of the public who balloted for free tickets earlier in the year, as well as a series of activities. This includes a defence and security industry day, where some 30 UK businesses will hold an expo in the carrier's hanger, as well as a science and technology symposium where experts from both countries will discuss technological developments. The carrier will also host panel discussions on defence and security, and a friendly e-sports tournament between UK and Singapore soldiers. The arrival of the HMS Prince of Wales is a critical demonstration of the UK's commitment to the Indo-Pacific, said British High Commissioner Nikesh Mehta. The visit comes amid a tumultuous global environment, where there is a 'need to demonstrate the importance of stability around the world, stability in the Indo-Pacific, and stability in the Euro-Atlantic', Mehta said at a media briefing on June 19 ahead of the carrier's arrival. Britain's position is that stability in the Indo-Pacific and in the Euro-Atlantic are indivisible, he added. 'You can't have one without the other, and that's why the carrier strike group coming to this part of the world is so important.' The aircraft carrier is the flagship of the UK carrier strike group, which includes several other UK Royal Navy vessels, as well as ships from Canada, Norway and Spain, amongst others. Its visit to Singapore is part of an eight month deployment called Operation Highmast that departed from the UK in April, with the ships sailing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Its route has included the Mediterranean, and along the way the group has conducted joint exercises, such as with the Indian Navy. The HMS Prince of Wales is one of two aircraft carriers currently operated by UK Navy – two of the largest ever built for the service, with a displacement of 65,000 tonnes and measuring 284m in length. It can carry up to 1,600 soldiers and 36 advanced F-35B fighter jets and four Merlin Helicopters. Its sister ship, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, visited Singapore in 2021, as part of the deployment of the UK's first carrier strike group. Besides Singapore, the HMS Prince of Wales is set to visit several other ports in the region including Indonesia, Japan and South Korea, and will take part in several joint exercises, including with the Singapore Armed Forces. In July, the carrier is set to join Exercise Talisman Sabre, an Australia-led exercise involving the US and other regional militaries. On its way back to home waters in September, it will participate in the Five Power Defence Arrangements' (FDPA) signature annual exercise, Bersama Lima. The FPDA consists of the Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK, and was established in 1971 when the British left the city state. The last time a UK aircraft carrier joined the FPDA's drills was in 1997, when HMS Invincible participated in Exercise Flying Fish, the first time the grouping conducted a combined maritime and air exercise. Head of the British Defence Staff for South-East Asia Colonel Eddie Maskell-Pedersen said HMS Prince of Wales' visit to Marina Bay is the latest in a series of security exchanges between the UK and Singapore this year. There have been reciprocal visits from senior military leadership on both sides, and in May Singapore frigate RSS Formidable docked in London's Canary Wharf, he noted. '(This) provides a clear statement of the importance of the relationship between the UK and Singapore: the partnership we have had, we are moving towards, and hopefully the momentum we would like to continue as partners for the future,' he said on June 19. In response to a question on the carrier's agenda and the UK's security involvement in the region, Col Maskell-Pederson, who is also the UK's defence advisor to Singapore, said Britain is not new to South-east Asia or to exercising in it. 'That's why our contribution, our commitment to FPDA since 1971 for 54 years now, is so important,' he said. 'And that's why the carrier strike group, and elements thereof, will participate in Exercise Bersama Lima because it's an important relationship. It's an important partnership that we are part of, and we want to continue to be committed to that.' At the same briefing, UK Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific Martin Kent said the visit highlights the UK's commitment to building 'mutual prosperity and security in this region'. The UK is working with partners in the Indo-Pacific to promote and protect the international rules-based order, he added. He said: 'With defence and security exports to the Asia Pacific region worth over 2.1 billion pounds ($3.6 million) in 2023 our commitment to this region is both substantial and enduring.' Mehta, the ambassador, said the carrier's arrival is a 'vital cog' in a 'momentous' year for Singapore-UK relations. The two countries are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations, which the visit also commemorates. - The Straits Times/ANN
Time of India
21-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
British F-35B Fighter Jet Remains Stranded In Kerala A Week After Emergency Landing. What's Next
A British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet remains stranded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram airport, one week after an emergency landing due to low fuel reserves. Part of the UK's Carrier Strike Group, the aircraft had just wrapped up joint Indo-Pacific naval drills with the Indian Navy when it requested urgent clearance to land. While it was successfully refueled by the Indian Air Force, a hydraulic system failure grounded the aircraft during its planned return. Despite a UK Navy maintenance team's efforts, the fifth-generation stealth jet remains non-operational. Now, Lockheed Martin engineers are being dispatched from the US to resolve the issue. If on-site repairs fail, transportation via military cargo plane is being considered. This rare international military incident on Indian soil has drawn global attention — especially involving such a highly classified and advanced jet system.#f35 #uknavy #kerala #f35strandedinkerala #ukfighterjetindia #britishf35kerala #stealthjetfail #defencenews2025 #lockheedmartin #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews Read More
News18
21-06-2025
- General
- News18
F-35B Stealth Jet: Why The Crown Jewel Of British Navy Has Been Stranded In Kerala For A Week
UK's most advanced fighter jet has been stuck at Thiruvananthapuram airport since June 14. Sources say India offered hangar space and technical help but the British Navy declined A British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for the seventh consecutive day, after it made an emergency landing on June 14 due to low fuel and adverse weather. The aircraft later developed a suspected hydraulic failure, which has prevented it from taking off since. The jet is widely considered a crown jewel of the Royal Navy's aviation fleet. The jet, operating from the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, was on a routine flight outside Indian airspace when it diverted to Kerala—a designated emergency recovery site under pre-agreed contingency protocols between the Indian and UK air forces, reportedly part of Operation Highmast. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the F-35B is considered a crown jewel of the Royal Navy's aviation fleet—offering advanced stealth, short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability, and highly classified sensor systems. Its presence on Indian soil, even temporarily, has drawn attention due to the tight operational secrecy surrounding the platform. #Breaking | A British F-35 jet remains grounded in Kerala, 6 days after an emergency landing. India offered assistance, but the UK Navy declined. @kaidensharmaa shares more details @Elizasherine | #F35 #BreakingNews #IndiaUK #Kerala — News18 (@CNNnews18) June 21, 2025 Refused Hangar And Shelter Offers Since landing, the F-35B has remained parked in the open on the tarmac, under close observation, with access limited to British personnel. Initial Repairs Failed, Bigger UK Team Expected Soon after the emergency landing, a UK Navy technical team from the HMS Prince of Wales was flown in to assess and fix the issue. According to PTI, six of those technicians returned to the ship on Tuesday afternoon, while three personnel—including the pilot—remain at Thiruvananthapuram to oversee ongoing efforts. A larger 30-member team from the UK is now expected to arrive within 48 to 72 hours to carry out further inspections and attempt more extensive repairs. If the hydraulic fault cannot be resolved on site, a British military transport aircraft may be sent to airlift the jet out of India, sources said. IAF And Local Support The emergency was first detected and cleared by the Indian Air Force's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which tracked the aircraft's distress signal and authorised the unscheduled landing. The Indian Air Force has since continued to provide logistical support. The airport operator, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (TIAL), has been facilitating the stay of the British team by providing accommodation and meals. A local ground handling agency was also arranged at the Royal Navy's request. Still No Clearance For Departure While efforts to fix the snag continue, the F-35B will only be cleared for departure—whether by air or transport aircraft—after legal, diplomatic, and aviation safety clearances are in place, officials said. First Published: June 21, 2025, 15:12 IST
Time of India
20-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
UK Royal Navy F-35B could not fly back after hydraulic failure; fighter jet may return via military transport plane: Defence official
NEW DELHI: A British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet that made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14 remains grounded due to a hydraulic system failure, defence officials confirmed on Friday. The aircraft may now be transported back to its carrier via a military transport aircraft if on-ground repairs remain unsuccessful. The stealth fighter, operating from the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, was conducting routine flying outside Indian airspace and had designated Thiruvananthapuram as its emergency recovery airfield. According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the jet was forced to land due to low fuel. 'A few days ago, the F-35 fighter jet of the UK Navy had made an emergency landing due to low fuel, after which the Indian Air Force had provided all required support, including refuelling,' defence officials said. 'However, when the aircraft was going back, it developed a hydraulic failure and could not return.' A UK Navy maintenance team initially attempted repairs on site but failed to rectify the issue. Now, a larger maintenance team is expected to arrive to assess further options. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo 'If required, the aircraft may even be taken back in a military transport aircraft,' the officials added. In an earlier statement on X, the IAF confirmed the emergency recovery was detected and managed through its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), and that it continues to assist with technical support for the aircraft's return.
