A British aircraft carrier made waves off South Korea’s coast, teaming up with local forces to show off their growing alliance in the Indo-Pacific region. The HMS Prince of Wales, a massive 65,000-tonne powerhouse, carried out an exciting aerial demo with its F-35B stealth fighter jets right in international waters near Busan on Monday.
This visit isn’t just for show—it’s a strong sign of the UK’s commitment to keeping the Indo-Pacific secure and prosperous. British Ambassador to South Korea Colin Crooks highlighted how it deepens the partnership between the two nations. “The UK wants to play a big role in the region’s security setup,” the embassy statement added, emphasizing the clear message of stronger ties.
Packed with up to 24 F-35B jets, the HMS Prince of Wales can handle 700 crew members on a normal day, but ramps up to 1,600 when fully loaded with aircraft and troops. After the aerial display, South Korea and Britain jumped into joint naval drills with three ships from each side. These exercises focused on boosting how their navies work together and handle real-world ops, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
This action fits into the British Royal Navy’s eight-month “Operation Highmast” mission across the Indo-Pacific. Just last month, two other UK vessels—HMS Richmond and RFA Tidespring—docked in Busan for the same deployment, keeping the momentum going.
The whole event builds on a long history of defense cooperation between South Korea and the UK. It all started during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, and today it includes regular joint military exercises, talks, and strategic plans. In 2023, they celebrated 140 years of diplomatic relations by upgrading to a “global strategic partnership” centered on defense and security. With moves like these, both countries are clearly eyeing a safer future in the region.
