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07 Aug 2026
Pictured: 6 October 25 - The UK's Carrier Strike Group forms up with the Indian Navy and Japanese ship Akebono, (front row) HMS Prince of Wales and INS Vikrant are joined by INS Surat, INS Mormugao, HNoMS Roald Amundsen, HMS Richmond, INS Teg, INS Kolkata, INS Tabar, RFA Tidespring and INS Deepak.

The Carrier Strike Group is over halfway through the Operation Highmast deployment. 

Led by UK flagship HMS Prince of Wales and involving a dozen nations, the eight-month mission - known as Operation Highmast - has seen the task group pass through the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Indian Ocean visiting Singapore and Australia, the Carrier Strike Group shifted focus on Asia visiting Japan and South Korea. 

The goal is to reaffirm the UK's commitment to the security of the Mediterranean collective resolve with our allies and showcase British trade and industry. 

Over the course of the deployment, upwards of 4,500 British military personnel will be involved, including nearly 600 RAF and 900 soldiers alongside 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines.
Big Ships and Fast Boats

While primes will continue to provide the scale and stability required for major programmes, with SMEs continuing to drive innovation and technological advantage, I fully expect new collaborative models will continue to emerge.

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02 Jul 2026
DIP Blog
Why software will define the future of Defence

The UK’s DIP recognises that the threats we face today - and those rapidly emerging - demand a defence posture built on speed, autonomy, software, and intelligent systems.

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