HMS Prince of Wales In Singapore

On June 23, 2025, HMS Prince of Wales made a special appearance, docking at Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre, marking the first time a warship has ever docked there. This port call marked a significant milestone in the Carrier Strike Group’s (CSG) eight-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.

Celebrating 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations

To commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the United Kingdom, the HMS Prince of Wales docked at Marina Bay Cruise Centre rather than RSS Singapura-Changi Naval Base or Sembawang Wharf. Marina Bay Cruise Centre, a more public-facing venue, brings the activities closer to the public, while the ship makes its presence known along Singapore's iconic skyline.

F-35Bs aboard the deck of HMS Prince of Wales against Singapore's Skyline. (Photo: British High Commission Singapore).

HMS Prince of Wales will be hosting several events, including a defence and security expo, a science and technology symposium, and a friendly e-sports tournament between the UK and Singaporean military personnel.

Operation Highmast

The 65,000-ton aircraft carrier departed its homeport of Portsmouth, UK, on April 23, leading the CSG for Operation Highmast. This deployment demonstrates the UK's long-term strategic commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, which accounts for approximately 17% of the UK's total trade value.

Mr Mehta elaborated that: “So much of our trade, whether UK, Singapore or wider Indo-Pacific, passes through this part of the world. Ensuring freedom of navigation and movement is absolutely essential. That is why our Carrier Strike Group is coming this way in the near future.”

Operation Highmast represents one of the UK’s most demanding naval deployments in recent history, where the CSG will transit the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region. The deployment is aimed at reinforcing the UK’s commitment to the international rules-based order and demonstrating its support for freedom of navigation.

The HMS Prince of Wales is crewed by approximately 4,000 UK crew, which includes 2,500 Royal Navy sailors, 592 Royal Air Force crew and an estimated 900 British Army soldiers.

The debut of two squadrons of F-35B fighters embarked aboard a Royal Navy aircraft carrier reinforced the UK’s ability to project airpower at sea with fifth-generation fighters.

Following the port call in Singapore, HMS Prince of Wales will join up with the rest of the CSG and proceed for their next assignment.