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UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales anchors at Marina Bay
Britain's HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier arrives at Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Edgar Su (REUTERS / Reuters)
The UK Royal Navy’s
HMS Prince of Wales has made its first formal port call in the region, docking at Singapore’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre on Monday (23 June). The visit is part of Operation Highmast, an eight-month global deployment aimed at strengthening defence and diplomatic ties in the Indo-Pacific.
The 65,000-tonne carrier leads a multinational strike group and will host a flurry of activities, including a defence industry expo, a science symposium, and even an esports tournament featuring UK and Singaporean military personnel.
The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of UK-Singapore diplomatic relations, adding symbolic weight to the carrier’s arrival. High-ranking UK officials are also in town to reinforce bilateral cooperation.
Operation Highmast spans 30 countries and includes joint exercises with regional partners. After Singapore, the carrier heads to Australia for Exercise Talisman Sabre.
The ship will return in November for Exercise Bersama Lima under the Five Power Defence Arrangements, reaffirming the UK’s long-term commitment to regional stability.