The UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will be visiting Japan as part of its Indo-Pacific deployment in 2025.

An aircraft carrier, which is expected to be HMS Prince of Wales, her escorts and aircraft will work alongside the Japanese Self Defence Forces and partners to help to defend regional stability and security.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps made the announcement during a visit to Japan’s Yokosuka Naval Base where he highlighted the importance of the UK exercising the best capabilities the British military has to offer in the region.

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Mr Shapps said: “The strength and global reach of the UK’s Armed Forces should never be underestimated. The Carrier Strike Group 2025 is another tangible example of our ability to deploy globally.

“Such deployments send a strong deterrence message while presenting important opportunities for engagements with key partners. Japan is our closest security partner in Asia and the task group’s visit to the country will only serve to strengthen our military and diplomatic ties.”

The Royal Navy has a persistent presence in the Indo-Pacific through the vessels HMS Spey and HMS Tamar, as well as the landmark Global Combat Air Programme collaboration.

Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales recently returned to Portsmouth naval base after her landmark deployment to the east coast of the United States.

Britain’s biggest warship had spent the last few months undergoing sea and air trials, including training with American F-35 jets.

The current UK Carrier Strike Group, headed by HMS Queen Elizabeth, recently completed the first phase of its 2023 deployment with a series of simulated strike missions alongside Britain’s international partners.

The training included simulated combat missions, defending against air threats and suppressing enemy air defences and strike attacks.

HMS Queen Elizabeth was joined in the North Sea and Norwegian Sea by Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond, Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Tideforce, Norwegian ships HNoMS Otto Sverdrup and HNoMS Maud, Dutch ships HNLMS De Zeven Provincien and HNLMS Van Amstel, and Belgian frigate BNS Louise Marie.

HMS Queen Elizabeth also led the 2021 Carrier Strike Group, during which she travelled 55,000 nautical miles, stretching from the eastern Atlantic to Japan and back, with the UK military engaging diplomatically with more than 40 nations.