UK Ministry of Defence: "Carrier Strike Group to Deploy to Asia from Next Month... Visiting 40 Countries"

Joining the US encirclement of China... Joint military exercises with Quad
India plans visits to South Korea and Japan following Singapore

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The UK Ministry of Defence announced that starting next month, the latest aircraft carrier strike group centered around the 'Queen Elizabeth' will embark on a six-month tour visiting 40 countries across Asia. The British carrier strike group, deployed to join the US in military containment of China, is also scheduled to conduct joint exercises with Quad member countries.

According to foreign media including the BBC on the 26th (local time), the UK Ministry of Defence stated in a press release, "The carrier strike group to be dispatched next month plans to visit 40 countries including India, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan over the next six months, sailing approximately 26,000 nautical miles (about 48,000 km)." It added, "The strike group consists of 8 F-35B stealth fighters, 6 naval vessels, 1 submarine equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, 14 naval helicopters, and marines."

The Queen Elizabeth carrier strike group dispatched by the UK is expected to include the US Navy destroyer USS The Sullivans and 10 US Marine Corps F-35 fighters, with the Dutch Navy frigate HNLMS Evertsen also accompanying the group. It is reported that this is the first time since 1978 that the UK has sent such a large carrier strike group to Asia for a cruise training mission.

CNN analyzed, "The deployment of this British carrier strike group, especially its consecutive visits to India, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, indicates a strong intent to contain China." It further explained, "The waterways connected to these countries are located in the South China Sea, where China claims maritime sovereignty and has ongoing disputes with neighboring countries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.