Exercise Med Strike runs from 5-11th May in the Ionian Sea and will bring together 21 warships, 3 submarines, 41 fast jets, 19 helicopters, 10 maritime patrol aircraft and over 8,000 personnel from across the NATO

The Royal Navy has launched its first major training operation of the year alongside NATO allies, with HMS Prince of Wales leading a vast allied carrier force into Exercise Med Strike off the coast of Italy.

The UK Carrier Strike Group is engaged in a week-long exercise in the Ionian Sea, marking the beginning of its eight-month mission to the Indo-Pacific.

HMS Prince of Wales is joined by F-35B Lightning stealth fighters and an Astute-class submarine, forming a powerful UK-led contingent that integrates seamlessly with allied maritime forces.

Italy’s flagship ITS Cavour and her carrier strike group are playing a key role in anti-submarine warfare and complex maritime operations.

Exercise Med Strike is not only the first full workout for the UK CSG but also a strategic demonstration of NATO’s maritime power.

Between now and December, the Carrier Strike Group will operate alongside air, sea, and land forces from a dozen allied nations across the Mediterranean, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Australia.