Latest news with #CarrierStrikeGroup
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
FPDA defence chiefs reaffirm pact's role in modern security
SINGAPORE: The Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), formed 54 years ago by the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore, remains relevant by adapting to contemporary security challenges, according to the member nations' defence chiefs on Thursday. In a joint statement, they said FPDA exercises have evolved to incorporate non-conventional elements such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, complementing the regular conduct of large-scale conventional serials. The statement was issued following the 23rd FPDA Defence Chiefs' Conference (FDCC), hosted by Singapore at a hotel here on Thursday. Chaired by Singapore's Chief of Defence Force, Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, this year's conference included participation from his counterparts: Admiral David Johnston (Australia), General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar (Malaysia), Air Marshal Tony Davies (New Zealand), and Admiral Sir Tony Radakin (United Kingdom). The FDCC, hosted alternately by Singapore and Malaysia, serves as the highest professional military forum of the FPDA and a key platform for dialogue and exchange of views among defence chiefs. The previous conference, held in 2023, was hosted by Malaysia. During this year's conference, the defence chiefs discussed the importance of keeping the FPDA relevant and acknowledged its ongoing contribution to regional peace and security. 'In line with this, the defence chiefs reaffirmed conventional exercises as the cornerstone of FPDA cooperation, enhancing interoperability among member nations' militaries and strengthening multilateral ties,' the statement said. They also reaffirmed their continued commitment to the FPDA and its founding principles, emphasising its enduring relevance in an ever-changing security landscape. The defence chiefs said they look forward to Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2025, which will feature high-end warfighting serials and next-generation assets such as Australia's F-35s and the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group. 'The inclusion of next-generation capabilities exemplifies the unity and strength of the FPDA and reaffirms the continued commitment of member nations to strengthening the operational value of FPDA exercises,' the statement added. At the conference, the defence chiefs also issued the FPDA Exercise Concept Directive 2025 and endorsed a five-year roadmap for the FPDA's advancement. The directive and roadmap will guide the development of FPDA exercises and initiatives, enhancing its capacity for both conventional and non-conventional operations. The defence chiefs also called on Singapore's Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing prior to the commencement of the FDCC.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
FPDA remains relevant in face of modern security challenges, say defence chiefs
SINGAPORE: The Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), formed 54 years ago by the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore, remains relevant by adapting to contemporary security challenges, according to the member nations' defence chiefs on Thursday. In a joint statement, they said FPDA exercises have evolved to incorporate non-conventional elements such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, complementing the regular conduct of large-scale conventional serials. The statement was issued following the 23rd FPDA Defence Chiefs' Conference (FDCC), hosted by Singapore at a hotel here on Thursday. Chaired by Singapore's Chief of Defence Force, Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, this year's conference included participation from his counterparts: Admiral David Johnston (Australia), General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar (Malaysia), Air Marshal Tony Davies (New Zealand), and Admiral Sir Tony Radakin (United Kingdom). The FDCC, hosted alternately by Singapore and Malaysia, serves as the highest professional military forum of the FPDA and a key platform for dialogue and exchange of views among defence chiefs. The previous conference, held in 2023, was hosted by Malaysia. During this year's conference, the defence chiefs discussed the importance of keeping the FPDA relevant and acknowledged its ongoing contribution to regional peace and security. 'In line with this, the defence chiefs reaffirmed conventional exercises as the cornerstone of FPDA cooperation, enhancing interoperability among member nations' militaries and strengthening multilateral ties,' the statement said. They also reaffirmed their continued commitment to the FPDA and its founding principles, emphasising its enduring relevance in an ever-changing security landscape. The defence chiefs said they look forward to Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2025, which will feature high-end warfighting serials and next-generation assets such as Australia's F-35s and the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group. 'The inclusion of next-generation capabilities exemplifies the unity and strength of the FPDA and reaffirms the continued commitment of member nations to strengthening the operational value of FPDA exercises,' the statement added. At the conference, the defence chiefs also issued the FPDA Exercise Concept Directive 2025 and endorsed a five-year roadmap for the FPDA's advancement. The directive and roadmap will guide the development of FPDA exercises and initiatives, enhancing its capacity for both conventional and non-conventional operations. The defence chiefs also called on Singapore's Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing prior to the commencement of the FDCC.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The cyber hub guiding UK flagship through perilous waters
At the British military's cyber headquarters in Wiltshire there is one critical task on everyone's minds: ensuring the safety of Carrier Strike Group 2025. This week, HMS Prince of Wales transits through the Bab-el-Mandeb in the Red Sea – the most perilous passage it will undertake on its eight-month mission. John Healey, the Defence Secretary, is all too aware of the dangers facing the £3 billion aircraft carrier and its group of support vessels. The area has suffered sustained Houthi attacks for over a year with the Royal Navy actively involved. Meeting members of the Royal Navy, who are based at MoD Corsham, the UK's military cyber HQ, Mr Healey spoke with personnel who are monitoring Operation Highmast, as it is known, around the clock to ensure its safety. In a room with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that overlook huge digital boards covered with information pertaining to the movements of the strike group (CSG), Mr Healey asked those gathered: 'What preparations did you do to make sure they were secure before going into this area?' It was explained they had 'gameplanned situations' to ensure they felt confident with a number of scenarios should the group encounter any trouble with the Iranian-backed Houthis. Mr Healey took his hat off to their efforts, saying work in the cyber field was all the more important because 'we don't see it'. 'We have to protect CSG in the next few days,' Mr Healey told one sailor. 'It will be a really dangerous high-risk passage', he said, adding that he was aware the 2,100 British military personnel involved in the mission were being 'digitally protected'. One important element of this is keeping an eye on phishing campaigns, which can happen at sea because personnel are connected to the internet. When asked by The Telegraph if he was concerned about the threats CSG might encounter, Mr Healey said: 'The Carrier Strike Group is in a high risk area. We know that, they know that, they are fully trained for that and they are as well prepared and well protected as they can be, physically, militarily and digitally and in cyber.' A senior defence source involved in operations at MoD Corsham warned: 'Houthis are well resourced by Iranians. They have offensive cyber capability.' When CSG set sail for the Indo-Pacific from Portsmouth last month, Commodore James Blackmore, in charge of the group, told The Telegraph he was ready to undertake any route required and would engage in active combat in the Red Sea if required. 'That's what a Carrier Strike Group does, that focus on that middle word, 'strike',' he said. 'I know I've got to transit through the Red Sea. I'm acutely aware of the dynamics that are associated with the Red Sea at the moment. I am always prepared and ready to not only defend myself but also any stage in this deployment if I am asked to undertake combat operations, I am absolutely ready.' From a practical point of view, those working at MoD Corsham are also on-call to help if something goes wrong. 'If something breaks down on the ship, we get notified and fix it here,' one naval officer said. On the walls on either side of the digital boards mapping the strike group's movements, clocks dedicated to telling the time of Op Highmast tick away. Men and women in dark blue Navy uniforms circulate the floor, but there are also many in civilian clothing, some sipping Monster energy drinks as they hunch over computers – staff no doubt brought in for their cyber expertise, something the MoD is actively recruiting for. Earlier this year, the MoD announced that military recruits will be fast-tracked into specialist roles to tackle the growing cyber threat to the UK through the Cyber Direct Entry programme. They were told that not only would starting salaries begin over £40,000, with potential for up to £25,000 in additional skills pay, but that there was no requirement to serve in dangerous environments or handle weapons. The days when all British military personnel were hyper-fit and able to handle weapons are being left behind as cyber dominates the landscape. As part of the highly anticipated Strategic Defence Review, which will be published on Monday, the digital realm will be put front and centre as the MoD seeks to explain how defence will look over the next decade. A senior defence source from MoD Corsham explained the importance of developing AI systems for the front line. He stressed they would not seek to replace traditional weapons systems such as tanks and aircraft, but complement them. 'At the moment we put people into places without all the information which would give them the greatest advantage on the battlefield,' he said. 'Our approach around cyber will make sure all of them are fully integrated with wider operations. It's not about cyber winning the war. It's how cyber is a multiplier in the other domains.' The passage of Britain's flagship carrier will be a crucial test in Britain's ability to compete on the battlefield of the future. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
The cyber hub guiding UK flagship through perilous waters
At the British military's cyber headquarters in Wiltshire there is one critical task on everyone's minds: ensuring the safety of Carrier Strike Group 2025. This week, HMS Prince of Wales transits through the Bab-el-Mandeb in the Red Sea – the most perilous passage it will undertake on its eight-month mission. John Healey, the Defence Secretary, is all too aware of the dangers facing the £3 billion aircraft carrier and its group of support vessels. The area has suffered sustained Houthi attacks for over a year with the Royal Navy actively involved. Meeting members of the Royal Navy, who are based at MoD Corsham, the UK's military cyber HQ, Mr Healey spoke with personnel who are monitoring Operation Highmast, as it is known, around the clock to ensure its safety. In a room with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that overlook huge digital boards covered with information pertaining to the movements of the strike group (CSG), Mr Healey asked those gathered: 'What preparations did you do to make sure they were secure before going into this area?' It was explained they had 'gameplanned situations' to ensure they felt confident with a number of scenarios should the group encounter any trouble with the Iranian-backed Houthis. Mr Healey took his hat off to their efforts, saying work in the cyber field was all the more important because 'we don't see it'. 'We have to protect CSG in the next few days,' Mr Healey told one sailor. 'It will be a really dangerous high-risk passage', he said, adding that he was aware the 2,100 British military personnel involved in the mission were being 'digitally protected'. One important element of this is keeping an eye on phishing campaigns, which can happen at sea because personnel are connected to the internet. When asked by The Telegraph if he was concerned about the threats CSG might encounter, Mr Healey said: 'The Carrier Strike Group is in a high risk area. We know that, they know that, they are fully trained for that and they are as well prepared and well protected as they can be, physically, militarily and digitally and in cyber.' A senior defence source involved in operations at MoD Corsham warned: 'Houthis are well resourced by Iranians. They have offensive cyber capability.' When CSG set sail for the Indo-Pacific from Portsmouth last month, Commodore James Blackmore, in charge of the group, told The Telegraph he was ready to undertake any route required and would engage in active combat in the Red Sea if required. 'That's what a Carrier Strike Group does, that focus on that middle word, 'strike',' he said. 'I know I've got to transit through the Red Sea. I'm acutely aware of the dynamics that are associated with the Red Sea at the moment. I am always prepared and ready to not only defend myself but also any stage in this deployment if I am asked to undertake combat operations, I am absolutely ready.' From a practical point of view, those working at MoD Corsham are also on-call to help if something goes wrong. 'If something breaks down on the ship, we get notified and fix it here,' one naval officer said. On the walls on either side of the digital boards mapping the strike group's movements, clocks dedicated to telling the time of Op Highmast tick away. Men and women in dark blue Navy uniforms circulate the floor, but there are also many in civilian clothing, some sipping Monster energy drinks as they hunch over computers – staff no doubt brought in for their cyber expertise, something the MoD is actively recruiting for. Earlier this year, the MoD announced that military recruits will be fast-tracked into specialist roles to tackle the growing cyber threat to the UK through the Cyber Direct Entry programme. They were told that not only would starting salaries begin over £40,000, with potential for up to £25,000 in additional skills pay, but that there was no requirement to serve in dangerous environments or handle weapons. The days when all British military personnel were hyper-fit and able to handle weapons are being left behind as cyber dominates the landscape. As part of the highly anticipated Strategic Defence Review, which will be published on Monday, the digital realm will be put front and centre as the MoD seeks to explain how defence will look over the next decade. A senior defence source from MoD Corsham explained the importance of developing AI systems for the front line. He stressed they would not seek to replace traditional weapons systems such as tanks and aircraft, but complement them. 'At the moment we put people into places without all the information which would give them the greatest advantage on the battlefield,' he said. 'Our approach around cyber will make sure all of them are fully integrated with wider operations. It's not about cyber winning the war. It's how cyber is a multiplier in the other domains.' The passage of Britain's flagship carrier will be a crucial test in Britain's ability to compete on the battlefield of the future.
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales leads key deployment to Pacific Rim
Scenes include a team of firefighters fighting a simulated fire during a battle control exercise Images from the seas show the busy crew of the HMS Prince of Wales and the Carrier Strike Group it is leading. The vessels are continuing on the Royal Navy's key deployment of 2025. Scenes include a team of firefighters onboard HMS Prince of Wales fighting a simulated fire during a battle control exercise. While the carrier also conducted a replenishment at sea as it took on more fuel from another ship. Led by UK flagship HMS Prince of Wales and involving a dozen nations, the eight-month mission - known as Operation Highmast - will take the task group to the western Pacific Rim via the Mediterranean and Middle East with a series of large-scale exercises with Britain's allies and partners. Over the course of the deployment, upwards of 4,500 British military personnel will be involved, including nearly 600 RAF and 900 soldiers alongside 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines.
