UK says it will deploy Carrier Strike Group to North Atlantic, High North this year

LONDON

The British government announced Saturday that it will deploy a carrier strike group to the North Atlantic and High North this year in a bid to boost regional security.

In a statement, the Defense Ministry said the UK will send a carrier strike group in 2026 "in a major show of force across the Euro-Atlantic and High North, reinforcing NATO’s deterrence at a time of rising Russian threats in the region."

According to the plan, deployment will include major exercises alongside US, Canadian, and Northern European allies.

"Known as ‘Operation Firecrest’ and led by HMS Prince of Wales -- the largest warship in the Royal Navy -- the UK will deploy the strike group across the North Atlantic and Arctic."

The plan came as Russia’s military activity in the North Atlantic "continues to increase," as over the past two years, there has been a "30% increase in Russian navy vessels threatening UK waters," according to the statement.

"The Carrier Strike Group will sail across the Atlantic to visit a US port, with US jets also expected to operate from the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales," it added.

In the statement, Defense Secretary John Healey said: "This deployment will help make Britain warfighting ready, boost our contribution to NATO, and strengthen our operations with key allies, keeping the UK secure at home and strong abroad."

The statement came following Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement of the plan during his address at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.