
The U.K. Royal Navy announced Monday its carrier strike group (CSG) achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC) ahead of its maiden deployment later in 2021. The Royal Navy said the IOC marks all elements of the group have been successfully brought together and operated, including fighter jets, radar systems and anti-ship weapons. The CSG is focused around the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the first of two new U.K. aircraft carriers that will be equipped with Lockheed Martin [LMT] F-35Bs. The government said…