UK says its aircraft carrier strike group is ready to deploy. China's already watching

UK as a global power

Since 2017, UK defence officials have been saying the carrier's first deployment would include Asia and the Pacific on a route from Britain that would likely take it through the South China Sea.

"The UK is a global power with truly global interest - we must be prepared to compete for our interests and our values far, far from home," then-UK Defence Minister Gavin Williamson said in 2019.

We begin 2021 with the declaration of Initial Operating Capability for #CarrierStrike. A few thoughts on what this means...[_link]

— Commander UK Carrier Strike Group (@smrmoorhouse) January 4, 2021