HMS Prince of Wales refuels at sea
HMS Prince of Wales has successfully conducted a replenishment at sea (RAS) with RFA Tidespring as part of Operation High Mast, the UK's most significant naval deployment in recent years. Launched in May 2025, this mission involves a coalition of a dozen nations and is set to last eight months. The task group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, will navigate from the Mediterranean through the Middle East to the western Pacific Rim, engaging in large-scale exercises with British allies to reaffirm the UK's commitment to security in the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions.
Throughout the deployment, approximately 4,500 British military personnel will participate, including nearly 600 RAF members, 900 soldiers, and 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines. The successful RAS operation in the Mediterranean is crucial for sustaining the carrier strike group's extended mission, allowing it to remain operational without frequent port visits. To date, HMS Prince of Wales has completed 11 RAS operations, transferring around 3,000 cubic meters (3 million liters) of fuel, facilitated by Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels and supported by Norwegian naval forces.
Operation High Mast aims to enhance security and cooperation across the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific regions, showcasing British trade and industry while demonstrating collective resolve with allies such as Norway, Canada, and Spain. The replenishment operations highlight the Royal Navy's logistical capabilities, ensuring a continuous presence and readiness in strategic areas. As the operation progresses, HMS Prince of Wales and its strike group will engage in joint exercises and port visits, reinforcing international partnerships and showcasing the Royal Navy's operational reach and endurance.
