In its first operational deployment, the British Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier Strike Group (CSG 21) is heading to the South China Sea after completing military exercises with the Indian Navy in the Bay of Bengal.
According to reports, when the “Queen Elizabeth” was on its way to disputed waters, other ships in the battle group had already arrived there before the warships. National Institutes of Health News.
When the Type 45 guided missile destroyer HMS Defender docked at the Muara naval base in Brunei, the supply tanker RFA Tidespring had left Singapore for the South China Sea. Data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) showed that the nuclear assault ship HMS Artful was also spotted crossing the Singapore Strait and heading to the South China Sea on Sunday.
Other members of the aircraft carrier formation include the Type 23 anti-submarine frigates HMS Richmond and HMS Kent, RFA Fort Victoria, the U.S. destroyer USS The Sullivan, the Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen, the U.S. Marine Corps Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA)-211 and the Royal Air Force’s 617th. Squadron “The Dambusters”.
After the “Kangkan” exercise with the Indian Navy was over, the strike group was partially broken up.
According to the report, AIS data shows that Fort Victoria is ahead of the Strait of Malacca including Kent, The Sullivans and Evertsen. Queen Elizabeth followed closely behind the three escorts. The report added that these ships have passed the lower end of the Strait of Malacca.
As China increasingly wants to monopolize the South China Sea, the strike group will pass through the Vietnam Sea.However, the British Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace Insisted earlier The country is not seeking “confrontation” but “will exercise its right to freedom of navigation.”
Therefore, so far, China has not responded to the appearance of aircraft carrier groups on controversial waterways. However, there are reports that any military exercises in the South China Sea may prompt Beijing to make a statement.
The aircraft carrier strike group’s plan is to interact with more than 40 countries and deploy to Japan through the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, thereby projecting the British’s Military capability.
At the same time, the UK has Announce After the carrier group sails to Japan through the disputed waterway, it will permanently deploy two warships in Asian waters. At the time of Japan’s recent territorial conflict with China, Britain is deepening its relations with Japan.
British Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace said in a joint statement with Japan’s Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi in Tokyo on Tuesday: “Following the first deployment of the strike group, the United Kingdom will permanently station two ships in the area starting later this year.”
Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
