UK, US and Japan to hold regular joint exercises in Indo-Pacific from 2025
The UK, US and Japan are set to hold regular military exercises together – in the Indo-Pacific region – from next year, it has been announced.
Building on previous operations between the three countries, the trilateral exercises will underline the UK's commitment to the Indo-Pacific.
As well as conducting various exercises in the region, HMS Spey and HMS Tamar are continuously deployed in the region.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said a "safe and stable Indo-Pacific is vital to our collective security".
"In an increasingly volatile world where we can no longer take peace for granted, it's critical to stand united with our allies and partners in defence of democracy and freedom," he added.
"Conducting joint exercises sends a strong message to anyone who would seek to undermine the rules-based international order – our defence relationships are not limited by distance and we stand ready to respond to any threat around the globe."
Last year, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed the Atlantic Declaration with US President Joe Biden, and agreed the Hiroshima Accord with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Both committed the UK to further increase defence activity with each country, focusing on boosting collective security and mutual prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
In 2025, HMS Prince of Wales will be deployed to the Indo-Pacific as the lead of a Carrier Strike Group.
This will see the ship conduct a series of operations and exercises with partners and allies – including a port visit to Japan.
The region is important to the UK as economic ties continue to grow in the region, including the Aukus deal – which aims to enhance various defence capabilities critical to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Originally, Aukus was a pact struck between the UK, Australia and the US, but the Defence Secretary has said he is open to the idea of opening the pact to other countries, with Japan and Canada being considered for collaboration on new military tech.
Aukus also looks to boost the regional security of the Indo-Pacific, with part of the deal seeing conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines to be delivered to Australia’s navy.
The programme is giving the UK's defence industry a massive boost and Mr Shapps visited Australia last month, confirming a British business will partner with an Australian company to build the submarines.
The UK is also working closely with Japan, along with Italy, to deliver a next-generation fighter jet – set to enter service from 2035.
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