HMS Prince of Wales, accompanied by her British and international escorts of the UK Carrier Strike Group, departed Darwin in the Commonwealth nation’s Northern Territory and set out for Japan, her role in Australia’s largest military exercise of 2025 finished.

Although Talisman Sabre runs until the weekend with UK Commando Forces committed ashore in northern Australia, the strike group’s involvement ended when the force put into Darwin last week.

The six-day visit to Darwin has mixed ancient customs—a ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony from the indigenous Larrakia people—with top-level diplomacy. The flagship hosted a string of senior British and Australian politicians, including Defense Secretary John Healey and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, his Australian counterpart Penny Wong, and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.

The aircraft carrier has also served as the impressive setting for a business and industry event, discussing the growing importance of defense links between London and Canberra.

On completion of the busy program, Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the Strike Group, said: “Darwin has been a fantastic opportunity to strengthen ties with our Australian partners, both ashore and at sea. From high-level engagements and cultural exchanges to joint military activities during Exercise Talisman Sabre, it’s been truly memorable. As we sail for the next phase of the deployment, we leave with a stronger bond and a stronger Strike Group.”

And the 2,500-plus personnel in the task group have enjoyed downtime to explore the largest city in Australia’s Northern Territory.

Among those sad to leave Australia behind is 18-year-old chef Able Seaman Owen Altoft from Newcastle, who’s on his first deployment.

“It’s an experience being out in Australia,” he said. “I enjoyed exploring Darwin looking at the beaches and waterfront areas. I was going to go to the Outback but didn’t have enough time, so I would definitely like to come back to Australia and visit again for that.

“This deployment has been great—seeing what the world’s like, seeing different places, cultures, and food. It’s what I signed up for. I tried kangaroo at the local food market and would try it again in a restaurant.”

The next stage of the Carrier Strike Group deployment—codename Operation Highmast—focuses on air operations, with the UK force due to link up with a Japanese task group to practice combined F-35 operations.

Both nations operate the same short take-off/vertical landing version of the stealth jet, the B variant, although Japan has not flown the fifth-generation strike fighter for quite as long as the UK.

The two allies will work together at sea for a week before the UK task group splits: some will head to South Korea, others, including HMS Prince of Wales, will make for Japan.