Day 14:ExercIse Med Strike

The Mediterranean

Exercise Med Strike

Carrier Strike Group 25 makes its way to the Mediterranean for a week-long exercise with NATO allies. 

Exercise Med Strike brings HMS Prince of Wales and her fleet together with the Italian Navy’s own flagship carrier, ITS Cavour. In the middle of the Ionian Sea, two carrier strike groups, 21 warships, three submarines, 41 fast jets, 19 helicopters, ten patrol aircraft and more than 8,000 personnel train in anti-submarine warfare tactics and air defence, including drone defence. 

NATO Allies from further afield also joined the exercise, including Canada, France, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States. 

A busy week in the Mediterranean means non-stop action. Training and essential maintenance continue across the group and alongside NATO allies – including NATO’s own Exercise Neptune Strike. 

While HMS Richmond conducts gunnery training, the Commando Helicopter Force carries out flying operations, including sorties over Southern Italy. Meanwhile, HMS Dauntless’ Air Defence Exercise put the ship’s company to the test with tracking and detecting aerial enemy targets. 

Before setting off towards the Suez Canal, Norwegian tanker HNoMS Maud replenished the CSG’s Type 45 destroyer with 300,000 litres of diesel for the journey ahead.

Joining the mission

HMS Richmond (F239)

Versatile, capable warship backed by advanced technology.

Commando Helicopter Force

Low flight aircraft providing elite aerial stealth support.

HMS Dauntless (D33)

Heavily armed for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare.

The english Channel

Phases of Operation

The Carrier Strike Group's long-planned deployment takes shape, before departing for its first exercise.

A person in a blue helmet stands on a ship at sea and looks back slightly towards the camera. Another ship is in the background.

Support vessels

Craft depart from Royal Navy bases to head south.

Carrier departs

Strike Group flagship HMS Prince of Wales leaves its base at Portsmouth.

United at sea

The full Carrier Strike Group, along with international partners, assembles off the coast of Cornwall.

Aircraft embarcation

F-35 Lightning jets and Merlin and Wildcat helicopters join HMS Prince of Wales.

Norwegian Navy

Norwegian participants HNoMS Roald Amundsen and HNoMS Maud will be in support for the whole duration.

This is a major moment in the UK Carrier Strike Group’s global deployment and will test our skills alongside NATO allies in a region  of fundamental importance to UK security

Commodore James Blackmore

Commander UK Carrier Strike Group

Personnel holding equipment wearing uniform in a line up

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