Britain will send an aircraft carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific region next month in a massive show of force aimed at countering security challenges posed by the Chinese regime. The Carrier Strike Group, to be led by the new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, will be the “largest concentration of sea and air power” in the UK, the Department of Defense (MoD) said in a press release . A new F-35B Lightning fighter takes off from the deck of Britain’s newest aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, September 27, 2018 (Mark Wilson / Getty Images). During its 28-week deployment, Carrier Strike Group will visit more than 40 countries and engage with Singapore, South Korea, Japan and India as part of the UK’s “move to the region. Indo-Pacific, ”the Defense Ministry said. . Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said: “When our carrier strike group sets sail next month, it will fly the flag of Global Britain, projecting our influence, signaling our might, interacting with our friends and reaffirming our commitment to meet challenges. Security for today and tomorrow. “The whole nation can be proud of the dedicated men and women who, for over six months, will demonstrate to the world that the UK is not regressing, but sailing to play an active role in shaping the 21st century international system. . ” British Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace leaves 10 Downing Street in London on February 13, 2020 (Leon Neal / Getty Images). According to the Department of Defense, Carrier Strike Group will seek to achieve the UK’s goal of “ deeper engagement in the Indo-Pacific region in support of shared prosperity and regional stability ”, which was exposed in the recently published integrated review. government abroad. , defense, security and development policy. The review, published in March, said the UK would invest in enhanced “China-facing capabilities” and improve its response to the “systemic challenge it poses to our security, prosperity and values, as well as those of China. our allies and partners “. “HMS Queen Elizabeth, the most powerful surface ship in Royal Navy history, will carry eight Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning II fast planes, four Wildcat maritime attack helicopters, seven anti-submarine helicopters. -marines Merlin Mk2 and three Merlin Mk4. commando helicopters. A company of Royal Marines Commandos will also be based on the aircraft carrier. The aircraft carrier will be joined by a surface fleet of Type 45 destroyers, HMS Defender and HMS Diamond, Type 23 anti-submarine frigates HMS Kent and HMS Richmond, and RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring from Royal Fleet Auxiliary. A Royal Navy Astute-class submarine armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles will be deployed in support of the surface fleet. An American destroyer, USS The Sullivans, will sail as part of the Group and provide it with air and anti-submarine defense capabilities. A squadron of 10 F-35B Lightning II aircraft from the United States Marine Corps will also join the fleet. The Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS Evertsen will provide additional air defense. Simon Veazey contributed to this report.
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