Newly released, striking images capture a formidable formation of British F-35B Lightning fighter jets lined up precisely along the flight deck of the HMS Prince of Wales. The photos were taken as the UK Carrier Strike Group arrived in Singapore on June 23. The shots were captured by leading photographer James Clarke and AS1 Amber Mayall.
Aircraft from the Royal Navy’s 617 and 809 Naval Air Squadrons assumed combat positions as the carrier entered the harbor – a key moment in Operation HMS, the Royal Navy’s flagship deployment for 2025.
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This striking scene offers a rare glimpse of Britain’s fifth-generation airpower in action at sea. The F-35B fighters lined up on the deck highlight the UK’s ability to deploy two full fighter squadrons from a single aircraft carrier. The visit to Singapore also coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The carrier strike group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, includes ships, submarines, and aircraft from more than a dozen nations. During the eight-month deployment, British forces will transit the Mediterranean and Middle East en route to the Indo-Pacific, taking part in major joint exercises with allies such as Japan and Australia.
The aircraft aboard HMS Prince of Wales are more than a show of force – they form a core component of Britain’s combat-ready joint forces, capable of delivering precision airstrikes when required. This deployment also marks the first operational mission for 809 Naval Air Squadron since its reformation. Operating alongside 617 Squadron, it forms the backbone of the UK’s carrier-based strike wing. Together, these squadrons represent the full operational capability of Britain’s F-35Bs in a maritime environment.
Operation HMSAT involves more than 4,500 British personnel, including around 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines, 900 British Army troops, and nearly 600 Royal Air Force service members. The mission aims to enhance deterrence, strengthen military partnerships, and underscore the UK’s long-term commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Source: Ukdefencejournal
