New Zealand frigate joins UK carrier strike group

HMNZS Te Kaha linking up with HMS Prince of Wales as Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25) began operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (NZDF)

In a bid to enhance its interoperability with the UK Royal Navy, a Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Anzac-class frigate is now operating as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25), the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) said in a 17 June statement.

This milestone, which is the first known UK Royal Navy CSG embed participated in by an RNZN frigate, was undertaken by HMNZS Te Kaha.

The CSG is led by the Royal Navy's second-in-class aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, and its eight-month deployment that began in April is known as Operation ‘Highmast'. It is embarked with two F-35B squadrons.

In the statement released by the NZDF, the RNZN's Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Shane Arndell, described Te Kaha's participation in the CSG as one that would increase the frigate's combat readiness by testing its capabilities in a multination strike group operation.

“Being able to work collaboratively with our global partners and demonstrate maritime interoperability is critical for us as a nation, and Operation ‘Highmast' will deliver some key outcomes for our navy and New Zealand Defence Force,” the commodore added.

Separately, the UK Ministry of Defence announced in a 17 June media release that the CSG has begun operations in the Indo-Pacific region and has undertaken a joint exercise with the Indian Navy.

It is due to participate in several major naval drills across the region including Exercise ‘Talisman Sabre 2025', which will be led by Australia.