Performance characteristics are presented for high-power, singlemode, strained-layer InGaAs/AlGaAs quantum well separate confinement laser diodes. A maximum output power of 460 m W continuous wave with single transverse mode behaviour to 245 m W is achieved in thc wavelength range 1020-1030 nm. These singlemode laser diodes have narrow far-field divergence, making them highly attractive as optical pumps for Pr3+-doped fluoride fibre optic amplifiers.