Keir Starmer Announces UK Carrier Strike Group Deployment To North Atlantic

Last Updated:February 14, 2026, 16:05 IST

The UK Prime Minister also warned Europe must be ready to "fight" to deter Russian aggression in the event of a peace deal with Ukraine.

The United Kingdom will deploy its carrier strike group to the North Atlantic and Arctic High North later this year, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference, underscoring London’s commitment to NATO deterrence amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Starmer’s announcement comes amid growing security fears over Russia and China in the region, with US President Donald Trump alarming world leaders with threats to take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, a Nato ally.

The UK Prime Minister also warned Europe must be ready to “fight" to deter Russian aggression in the event of a peace deal with Ukraine.

He told European leaders they must not dither as “Russia has proved its appetite for aggression", and pledged Britain would defend its allies if called upon.

Announcing the warships, he said: “I can announce today that the UK will deploy our carrier strike group to the North Atlantic and High North region this year, led by the HMS Prince of Wales, operating alongside the US, Canada and other NATO allies in a powerful show of our commitment to Euro-Atlantic security".

Earlier, the Prime Minister said the current moment did not call for dramatic rhetoric, insisting that the path ahead was clear and required strengthening Britain’s hard power to deter threats and remain prepared for conflict if necessary.

“Because we know that in a dangerous world, we would not take control by turning inward, we would surrender it, and I won’t let that happen. That’s why I devote time as Prime Minister to Britain’s leadership on the world stage, and that’s why I’m here today, because I am clear there is no British security without Europe and no European security without Britain. That is the lesson of history, and is today’s reality as well."

Starmer said the UK would stand by its Nato obligations, reaffirming that Britain would defend its allies if required under the alliance’s collective defence commitment.

Trump has questioned whether the US’s European partners would answer the call if it were made today.

Earlier, Defence Secretary John Healey said Britain would invest £400 million this year in developing long-range missiles to strengthen European security.

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