The United Kingdom (UK) will deploy its Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Prince of Wales to the North Atlantic and High North in an effort to deter increasing levels of Russian aggression in the region.
On February 14, 2026, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said that the deployment comes as Russian miliary activity in the North Atlantic continues to increase with a 30% increase in navy vessels threatening UK waters over the past two years.
Known as ‘Operation Firecrest’ the UK’s military task force will include Royal Navy warships, RAF fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets and helicopters.
The latest plans for the Carrier Strike Group activity were first announced by the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the annual Munich Security Conference.
Set to sail in 2026, the deployment will include major exercises alongside United States (US), Canadian, and Northern European allies.
The Carrier Strike Group will sail across the Atlantic to visit a US port, with US jets also expected to operate from the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales.
Significantly, the deployment will include activity under NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission which aims to Arctic and the High North preserving security and stability in the region.
The US has been leading concerns surrounding security in the Arctic, citing Russia and China’s increasing activity in the area where melting sea ice is opening new routes.
The UK will deploy it’s ‘carrier strike group’ of warships and military aircraft to the North Atlantic and High North, Sir Keir Starmer has announced to European leaders.
The Royal Navy carrier would be lead by HMS Prince of Wales and operate alongside the US, Canada and other… pic.twitter.com/3sY48Yp6jM
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) February 14, 2026
“I’m proud that we’re stepping up UK leadership on High North and Atlantic security. This deployment will help make Britain warfighting ready, boost our contribution to NATO, and strengthen our operations with key allies, keeping the UK secure at home and strong abroad,” said Defense Secretary John Healey.
The Carrier Strike Group will exercise alongside NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group 1, itself being led by the UK, with HMS Dragon acting as the command ship of the NATO maritime group throughout 2026.
The deployment follows the success of the UK’s 2025 Carrier Strike Group mission to the Indo-Pacific, which saw over 1,000 F-35 sorties and activity with over 30 nations, and resulted in the UK’s Carrier Strike Group being certified fully ‘mission ready’ and committed to NATO.
