Additional F-35Bs have joined the carrier as it sails through the Mediterranean on the tail end of the CSG 25 deployment, satisfying a major requirement for the declaration of full operating capability.

HMS Prince of Wales is now sailing with the largest air wing hosted on a British carrier in decades, exceeding even the U.S. Marine Corps-augmented air wing that deployed on HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021. Six F-35Bs departed RAF Marham over the last week to head south and augment the 18 jets that have been deployed on the carrier through the bulk of its deployment to the Indo-Pacific.

The 24 aircraft deployed come from both 617 Squadron and 809 Naval Air Squadron – the UK’s two frontline F-35B units – as well as 207 Squadron. With 24 jets now on board this allows the usual practice of havin

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