HMAS Sydney Welcomes UK Carrier Strike Group Leader

On 14 July 2025, the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Sydney hosted Commodore James Blackmore, the commander of the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), during a dynamic at-sea rendezvous in the Indo-Pacific. This visit, part of Operation Highmast, underscores Australia’s commitment to strengthening ties with allies such as the United Kingdom as they prepare for the multinational Exercise Talisman Sabre. The event highlights the enduring partnership between the RAN and the Royal Navy, reflecting shared strategic goals and a robust stance on regional security.

The meeting occurred as HMAS Sydney integrated with the UK CSG en route to Australia, where the group will join Exercise Talisman Sabre, a biennial exercise involving 19 nations and over 35,000 personnel. Commodore Blackmore’s tour of the destroyer provided an opportunity to discuss shared naval priorities, with Commander Ben Weller, Commanding Officer of HMAS Sydney, emphasising the deep ties between the two navies. “It was a privilege to host Commodore Blackmore and reinforce our historic partnership with the Royal Navy, one of our closest allies,” Weller said, as reported by the Australian Department of Defence. This collaboration is a cornerstone of Australia’s efforts to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, countering threats to maritime stability.

Operation Highmast showcases Australia’s proactive role in fostering interoperability with allied forces, including ships from Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and Spain. The RAN’s commitment to regional presence deployments, such as Sydney’s recent enforcement of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea under Operation Argos, demonstrates a steadfast resolve to uphold international law. The visit culminated in a symbolic gesture, with the HMAS Sydney crew presenting Commodore Blackmore with a cricket bat, a nod to Australian hospitality and camaraderie.

As the current Labor government navigates complex global challenges, such engagements highlight the RAN’s critical role in projecting strength and stability, independent of domestic political shifts. The partnership with the UK CSG not only bolsters Australia’s defence capabilities but also sends a clear message to adversaries: the Indo-Pacific remains a region where freedom of navigation and international cooperation prevail. With HMAS Sydney set to return to Fleet Base East after this deployment, its crew’s efforts continue to uphold Australia’s proud naval tradition.