The eight-month deployment of the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group 2025, called Operation Highmast shows a "very strong message" of support to international rules-based order and to the like minded countries in the Indo-Pacific Region.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said Operation Highmast composed of or centered on the British aircraft carrier Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales set sail last April 2025.

"One objective here is to reinforce the alliances with like-minded nations in the Indo-Pacific Region and to support its international order which is currently being attacked by one country that would like to change the international status quo," he said.

"This is a very strong message from like-minded nations that would like to support the rules-based international (order) in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and most importantly, in the Indo-Pacific Region.

In a radio interview, Trinidad said the activity involves a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) task force since six NATO member states have contributed naval vessels for the activity. These were France, Italy, United States, Canada, Norway and Spain.

“It’s no longer just Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) that is involved; it’s already the whole world, standing against China, against the Chinese Communist Party, telling them we will support the stand of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, we will support international law in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Trinidad said the "task force is scheduled to participate in different exercises to conduct bilaterial and multilateral activities with our other partner nations".

"This eight-month deployment will go to the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and the Indo-Pacific Region," he said.

Aside from NATO member states, other nations that deployed vessels and personnel include Australia, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea. Robina Asido/DMS