Britain puts stealth fighters to sea in the High North

Britain is deploying its F-35 jets from the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to the Arctic and North Atlantic, as the carrier sails from Portsmouth on Sunday, the Royal Navy said. The second phase of Operation Firecrest returns fifth-generation aircraft to the “High North.” The carrier’s air group includes F-35 jets, Merlin Mk4 Commando and Mk2 anti-submarine helicopters, Wildcat helicopters and Malloy drones, supported by the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless and more than 1,200 personnel. The deployment is described as operating under NATO leadership and is meant to demonstrate commitment to the Alliance, with the strike group expected to integrate and train with allies. The Royal Navy highlights Arctic challenges such as deck icing, salt spray freezing and shorter daylight affecting vertical landings. The government’s Arctic Policy Framework, published this week, cites Russia’s Northern Fleet based on the Kola Peninsula and sets commitments including doubling troops deployed to Norway to 2,000 over three years and contributing to NATO air policing from Iceland. The strike group will operate under NATO command and participate in NATO’s Neptune Strike exercises.