Carrier Strike Group forms for the first time
The UK's HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group has formed for the first time on the Westlant 19 deployment, the Royal Navy announced on 26 September.
The carrier has been joined by destroyer HMS Dragon, frigate HMS Northumberland and fleet tanker RFA Tideforce off the eastern seaboard of the US following the completion of the Canadian-led submarine hunting exercise Cutlass Fury in which Northumberland took part.
Dragon has now left the task force to join another carrier group working in the same waters off the coasts of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. The destroyer will form part of Carrier Strike Group 10, led by USS Dwight D Eisenhower which is undergoing a US Navy Tailored Ship's Training Availability programme.
Dragon will then re-attach to the Queen Elizabeth group ready to begin combined training with UK F-35 Lightning stealth fighters from 617 Squadron.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters]()
US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters
The USCG exercised a $507 million contract option for the acquisition of 10 extra FRCs. This new order will raise the total number of Sentinel-class vessels procured by the service from 67 to 77.
-
![DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology]()
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
![Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract]()
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
-
![Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028]()
Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028
Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.
