The UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, will arrive in Tokyo between late August and early September as part of Operation HIGHMAST—an eight-month Indo-Pacific deployment aimed at reinforcing regional stability and deepening strategic partnerships.
Announced by the British Embassy in Japan on 6 August 2025, the visit aligns with the UK’s “Plan for Change,” which emphasizes national security, maritime cooperation, and defense technology ties with like-minded partners. The Tokyo stop will include high-level diplomatic and industry events, such as the Pacific Future Forum and Defence and Security Industry Day (DSID), focusing on space, cyber, and emerging technologies.
The mission comes amid growing UK–Japan cooperation, reflected in agreements like the CEPA, RAA, and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) for a sixth-generation fighter jet.
HMS Prince of Wales, commissioned in 2019, is one of the Royal Navy’s most advanced warships—an 80,000-tonne, 284-meter Queen Elizabeth-class carrier capable of operating up to 36 F-35B jets and multiple helicopter types. It features advanced radar systems, CIWS defenses, and facilities for a wide range of operations, from power projection to humanitarian relief.
Operation HIGHMAST is the UK’s largest maritime deployment to date, involving 4,000 personnel from all three armed services, visiting over 40 countries, and conducting more than 70 joint exercises. Twelve allied nations, including Norway, Canada, Spain, and New Zealand, are contributing ships or personnel.
Alongside its military role, the deployment will promote British defense and industrial capabilities in key Indo-Pacific markets, which account for 17% of UK global trade. The initiative supports trade pacts like CEPA and CPTPP while expanding cooperation in advanced military technologies.
Far more than a routine port call, the HMS Prince of Wales visit underscores Britain’s intent to maintain a lasting, multi-domain presence in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen its comprehensive partnership with Japan.
