Historic F-35 cross-decking milestone

The Philippine Sea exercise marks a milestone in allied carrier aviation as UK and Japanese jets operate from each other’s ships.

Historic F-35 cross-decking between Royal Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force

HMS Prince of Wales led a nine day series of joint operations in the Philippine Sea, integrating with JS Kaga and carrier groups from the United States. Eleven warships and twenty three aircraft from six nations took part in anti submarine warfare drills, coordinated air defense, and replenishment operations. Two USMC F 35Bs briefly joined Prince of Wales for deck operations, while UK and Japanese crews practiced intercepts and maritime strike with cross deck landings.

This milestone shows how allied air power can be pooled across long distances. The drills advance practical interoperability and doctrine sharing between the UK, Japan and the United States, paving the way for more complex operations in the Indo Pacific. Japan’s move to fixed wing carrier operations, alongside multi service training with allies, signals a durable shift in its defense posture and a growing reliance on partners for capability development. Yet the linked effort also brings political and budget considerations, with questions about domestic support for expanded defense spending and regional risk calculations in a tense security environment.

Highlights

The drills will influence ongoing training and collaboration with Japan and other partners in the region.