What is HMS Prince of Wales doing? Carrier Strike Group 'full steam ahead' with Exercise Neptune Strike
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Joined by allies and British warships, HMS Prince of Wales is conducting various drills in the North Atlantic and High North
A large multinational Nato exercise is currently underway with the Royal Navy flagship at the heart of it.
HMS Prince of Wales and and the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) are currently in the midst of Exercise Neptune Strike. A key part of Operation Firecrest, the Nato drills showcase the operational reach of the alliance in the North Atlantic and High North - one of the most challenging and strategically important areas to operate in.
A statement from Nato Allied Joint Force Command Norfolk issued on July 19 said: “Neptune Strike is full steam ahead, and with a busy 3 days of activity complete, the UK Carrier Strike Group is ready for whatever lies ahead. Neptune Strike 26 takes place from July 17-23 and brings together Allied maritime, air, land and multinational forces to strengthen the Alliance’s ability to integrate and command forces for multi-domain operations under a unified operational framework.”
Several exercises have already taken place. RFA Tidespring conducted a replenishment at sea drill with the Danish patrol vessel HDMS Thetis. “By seamlessly transferring fuel, supplies, and equipment while underway, Allied crews strengthen their ability to operate as one force,” Nato added.
Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan conducted gunnery exercises by firing shots at targets in open water. The UKCSG social media account said demonstrating long-range strike capability from the open sea shows how Nato can defend allied territory. While present, Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland and a French destroyer became fully integrated into the force.
This year’s Exercise Neptune Strike was the first time operations expanded into the North Atlantic and High North under Nato’s Arctic Sentry. Previous iterations saw HMS Prince of Wales and the UKCSG join forces with their Italian counterparts in the Mediterranean Sea.
This year, they’re operating alongside the Spanish Expeditionary Strike Group, which is supported by 14 Nato allies. Ships, submarines, and aircraft, have been drawn from nations including Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Norway, and the US. They have also been joined by Nato’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force.