UK Deploys Record 24 F-35B Jets on HMS Prince of Wales for Mediterranean Drills

Historic Deployment for HMS Prince of Wales

The United Kingdom's Royal Navy has achieved a significant milestone with the deployment of a record 24 F-35B Lightning II fighter jets aboard its aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. This marks the largest number of F-35B jets ever embarked on a British aircraft carrier, or indeed any ship, with all aircraft being British-owned. The deployment was announced on November 6th and 7th, 2025, as the carrier entered the Mediterranean Sea.

This unprecedented concentration of fifth-generation fighters underscores a major step forward for the UK's carrier strike ambitions, demonstrating the nation's capability to generate substantial sovereign airpower at sea without reliance on augmentation from other nations' aircraft.

Exercise Falcon Strike and Operational Readiness

The 24 F-35Bs are participating in Exercise Falcon Strike, a multinational exercise led by Italy in the Mediterranean. This exercise involves air and maritime forces from Italy, the United States, and Greece, focusing on strengthening NATO's combined air and maritime combat capabilities. Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, stated that the upcoming exercises with NATO allies will be 'a real demonstration of the warfighting readiness' of the group.

The jets are drawn from several squadrons, including the Royal Air Force's No. 617 Squadron and No. 207 Squadron, as well as the Royal Navy's 809 Naval Air Squadron. This deployment is a crucial component of Operation Highmast, an eight-month mission that has seen the UK Carrier Strike Group operate across the Indo-Pacific region and transit through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

Boost to UK Carrier Strike Capability

The presence of 24 F-35Bs on HMS Prince of Wales is a critical requirement for the declaration of Full Operating Capability (FOC) for the UK Carrier Strike capability, a milestone that has been anticipated and is now closer to being achieved. The Queen Elizabeth-class carriers are designed to accommodate up to 72 aircraft, with a typical air wing consisting of around 40 aircraft, including F-35Bs and helicopters.

While this deployment signifies a major advancement, recent reports from the UK Parliament's Public Accounts Committee have highlighted ongoing challenges within the F-35 program. These include concerns regarding overall investment, maintenance capacity, training, and the integration of long-range strike weapons. Despite these challenges, the current deployment of a fully British F-35B contingent represents a substantial enhancement to the UK's ability to project fifth-generation air power globally.