HMS Queen Elizabeth has sailed for her largest, most complex & demanding exercises yet (1/3) (Photo: @ShaunRoster)
But as the new UK-led Carrier Strike Group assembles to the north, a @RoyalNavy Littoral Strike Group is operating across Europe’s southern flank (2/3). #LRGX#WeAreNATO
Two strike groups deployed simultaneously in different theatres , with additional ships forward deployed to the Falklands, Caribbean, Med & Gulf to provide a persistent & growing global presence. (3/3) #GlobalBritain.
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THREAD. With my staff set to disembark @HMSQNLZ following the successful completion of Exercise Joint Warrior, what have we achieved? Some thoughts…
1. We embarked the largest air group of 5th generation fighters ever put to sea – finally silencing those who harp on about ‘carriers without jets’. UK F-35B numbers will grow, but the ability to operate UK & US jets interchangeably from a British deck offers massive flexibility.
2. We accomplished what many doubted possible by forming a sovereign British strike group – but also integrated ships & aircraft from our closest NATO allies. It demonstrates the convening power of @HMSQNLZ & @HMSPWLS and continuing UK leadership in #NATO.