London, November 9 - The Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales has achieved a historic milestone by hosting 24 UK F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters simultaneously for the first time, marking the largest deployment of British-owned jets on a single carrier. This landmark event unfolded during Exercise Lightning Dawn off the UK's eastern coast, showcasing the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier's full capacity with eight jets from RAF 207 Squadron and 16 from 617 Squadron "The Dambusters." The operation highlights the F-35B's short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, enabling dense "deck parking" that maximizes operational flexibility for the 65,000-tonne warship.
Conducted in challenging autumn conditions, the exercise involved over 300 sorties, including night operations and integrated strikes with NATO allies. HMS Prince of Wales, commissioned in 2019, demonstrated its role as a NATO command hub, coordinating air wings that included US Marine Corps F-35Bs in prior drills. This "24 UK F-35Bs on HMS Prince of Wales" feat underscores the UK's £9.1 billion investment in 48 F-35Bs so far, with plans for up to 138, bolstering fifth-generation air power projection. The carrier's ski-jump ramp and twin islands facilitated rapid launches, proving the vessel's readiness for global deployments.
Defense Secretary John Healey hailed the event as evidence of the UK's "carrier strike renaissance," emphasizing its deterrence value amid rising global tensions. The successful loading of 24 F-35Bs, exceeding typical peacetime loads, validates years of training and infrastructure upgrades at Portsmouth. For aviation enthusiasts searching for "HMS Prince of Wales F-35B capacity" or "UK carrier strike group," this exercise signals full operational capability ahead of potential Indo-Pacific missions.
As the Royal Navy integrates more F-35Bs, HMS Prince of Wales stands ready to lead carrier strike groups, enhancing NATO's eastern flank and beyond. This first-time achievement not only boosts UK defense credentials but also attracts global attention to British naval aviation prowess in the F-35 era.
