Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s (a) vessel, (b) crewing and (c) operational contributions will be to the UK Carrier Strike Group exercises in the Indo-Pacific region in 2025.

RFA Tidespring will provide support to the UK Carrier Strike Group throughout the Operation HIGHMAST deployment in 2025, including during exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.

RFA Tidespring is fully crewed, and her principal role is to provide fuel to the UK Carrier Strike Group while underway, enabling the ships and embarked aircraft to remain at sea for longer periods. In addition, RFA Tidespring has a Royal Navy Merlin Mk2 helicopter and Uncrewed Air Systems embarked.