This post is part of a series looking back at the top naval stories from 2021.
This year U.S. rivals and allies made major strides in developing expanded naval capabilities from expanding aircraft carrier capability to developing new hypersonic weapons. Read More
HMS Queen Elizabeth returns from her seven-month global mission on Dec. 9, 2021. UK Royal Navy Photo
HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) and escorts of the Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG 21) returned to their home ports in HMNB Devonport and HMNB Portsmouth marking the end of its seven-month maiden deployment. Read More
An F35B Lightning II pilot prepared to take off from HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) on Aug. 14, 2021. UK Royal Navy Photo
This post has been updated with additional information from the U.K. MoD and a statement from F-35 builder Lockheed Martin.
A U.K. F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter operating from Royal Navy carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) crashed in the Mediterranean on Wednesday, the U.K. Ministry of Defense announced. Read More
Adm. Ben Key became the nation’s most senior sailor aboard flagship HMS Victory. Royal Navy Photo
A new head of the U.K. Royal Navy has taken command, the Ministry of Defence announced on Monday. Read More
Russian and Chinese ships on Oct. 23 off the coast of Japan. JMSDF Image
KUALA LUMPUR – A combined Russian Navy and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fleet concluded a sail in international waters east of Japan’s main island of Honshu and split off to their home ports on Saturday, all while being monitored by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships and aircraft during the voyage. Read More
Chinese and Russian Warships. Japan Self-Defense Forces Photos
KUALA LUMPUR – A combined Russian Navy and China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fleet continues to sail in international waters east of Japan’s main island of Honshu, while Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships and aircraft monitor the fleet during its voyage. Read More
HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) visits Western Scotland for the first time on March 20, 2021. Royal Navy Photo
Keeping the Atlantic open so European allies can remain in the loop with the United States and Canada during a crisis has “always been the case in NATO military strategy” and remains so today, the chief of the United Kingdom’s defense staff said Tuesday. Read More
U.K. Royal Navy guided-missile destroyer HMS Diamond (D-34) leaving Singapore on Oct. 8, 2021. Royal Navy Photo
KUALA LUMPUR – Nations part of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) – Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom – began the field training portion of the Bersama Gold 2021 exercise today on Friday. Read More
Chief of Maritime Staff Adm. Hiroshi Yamamura, left, First Sea Lord Adm. Tony Radakin, and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday sign a Trilateral Head of Navy Joint Statement aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), near Annapolis, Md., on Nov. 20, 2019. US Navy Photo
The U.K. Royal Navy has been at the forefront of London’s push to the Pacific and a key component of a growing network of navies operating together in Asia. First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Adm. Tony Radakin took charge of the RN in 2019 as the service was at the early stages of preparing for its carrier deployment as the U.K. moved out on its intentions to be more active on the seas and around the world. Read More
A Marine F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter from The “Bats” of Marine Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 242 takes off from JS Izumo on Oct. 3, 2021. JMSDF Photo
KUALA LUMPUR – Two Marine Corps F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighters took off and landed on Japan’s largest warship, JS Izumo (DDH-183), on Oct.3, marking the first time that fixed-wing aircraft have operated off a Japanese warship since World War II. Read More
