Tag: Ministry of Defence

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 May 2024.

Defence Minister the Earl of Minto gave a speech at the Malaysia National Security International Seminar.

Good morning. I’m grateful to everyone involved in organising the Expo for this opportunity to address you.

To help you understand the perspectives I bring to this conversation, let me give you the briefest overview of my background.

In my 20s I served as an infantry officer in the British Army. When I left the army, I worked in property and then the private sector, taking the stationary firm Paperchase from having a handful of stores in the UK, to having a multinational presence. And more recently I became a government Minister for Business and Trade, and now a Minister for Defence.

So you are probably wondering why am I telling you this.

Well it is because I see many parallels between those experiences, and the route that partner countries need to take out of our increasingly disordered and more dangerous world.

Whether it is military success, success in business, our whether it is successful international and military relations: the core tenets of success are mutually beneficial cooperation and clear rules.

In the military, that was about coming together with a group of people, with defined objectives and rules of operation, to deliver a result much greater than the sum of the parts.

In business, it was about having a firm grip on the bottom line, and on assets and opportunities. And reaching out to new partners – as I did particularly with suppliers in China – to forge mutually beneficial trusting partnerships, that deliver growth and prosperity for both parties.

And this type of mutually beneficial cooperation, based on mutually defined rules, is also the approach the United Kingdom takes to its international partnerships.

And I believe re-establishing adherence to those international rules, is the only route out of our currently disordered and more dangerous age.

Because if you take a step back, all of our current international problems and tension stem from countries flouting the international rulebook.

We have Russia, turning its back on the UN Charter to invade its sovereign neighbour. Targeting civilian infrastructure without a care for the Geneva Conventions.

We have an unsavoury alliance of Russian mercenaries and military strongmen in parts of Africa, working together to tear-up democratic accountability and international human rights conventions, in order to seize control of valuable critical mineral and other resources.

We have countries like North Korea and Iran, violating their nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

We have a regime in Tehran, that channels weapons and support to militia groups and proxies, used to commit terrorism in Israel and to disrupt Freedom of Navigation in the Red Sea. Which is directly impacting your exporters and European customers.

And we have China, pushing territorial disputes, facilitating illegal fishing, and seizing influence and critical resources through debt diplomacy.

These concerns are not merely anecdotal. The UN report that the number of violent conflicts is at a post-World War peak, with 2 billion people living in conflict affected areas.

And the respected NGO Freedom House has reported that flawed elections and armed conflict have contributed to the 18th year of democratic decline around the globe.

In all these cases, authoritarian regimes are tearing up the international rules and norms that protect our security and prosperity.

And the only way for countries who value those rules to rebuild international security, is to work together to strengthen and uphold the various strands of the international rulebook.

Which is why ASEAN is such an important and natural partner for the UK. With its commitment to shared regulations, lawful dispute resolution, and good governance.

ASEAN has established a flexible yet robust defence and security framework across the region, with its Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, its Zone of Peace, and the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon Free Zone.

The UK government welcomes this and the importance of ASEAN centrality. Which is why we are building on our Dialogue Partner status to deepen our engagement with ASEAN institutions and initiatives. From the Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security; to the Defence Cyber and Information Centre of Excellence in Singapore – ASEAN allows us to work together and to achieve shared objectives.

One objective many of us share is upholding Freedom of navigation.

Which is why the UK is one of only two countries – alongside the US – to have taken forceful and proportionate action against Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.

The trade that has been affected by those attacks is valued at around a trillion dollars a day. The majority coming from the Indo Pacific. So this region in particular has an interest in enabling international shipping to pass safely through the Red Sea, as well as upholding the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea more broadly, and the sanctity of countries’ right to an Exclusive Economic Zone.

In support of those principles, we have developed our Maritime Security Programme, based on the Trilateral Cooperation Arrangement between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. This enables us to strengthen our common understanding with countries in the region, and improve cooperation to enhance collective maritime security.

We also support Freedom of Navigation through our military partnerships in the region.

Our two patrol ships HMS TAMAR and HMS SPEY are permanently deployed in the Indo-Pacific, where they work with regional partners to conduct activities that benefit the whole region, such as mine countermeasure operations, and monitoring critical infrastructure such as pipelines and communication cables.

In addition to our membership of the Five Powers Defence Arrangements; our Dialogue Partner status with ASEAN; our partnership on Maritime Security; and our membership of the CPTPP trading block – we also enjoy strong and wide-ranging bilateral relationships, and trade and cooperation agreements, with countries across the region.

Over the past year alone we have agreed a new strategic partnership with Singapore and the Downing Street Accord with the Republic of Korea.

Our Malaysian hosts are another valued partner of the United Kingdom. We have a long, shared history and many shared values and objectives, that we advance through our formal Strategic Dialogue.

Another important alliance for the region is our AUKUS partnership, that will enable Australia to do more to support security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

Layered on top of the geopolitical struggles and tensions that I’ve described, are a number of global challenges that we can’t overcome unless we find a way to work with authoritarian countries.

In particular climate change, the transition to sustainable, green-growth economies, the positive use of new technologies, and the fight against disinformation.

And that is why the UK’s favoured approach is to engage wherever we can. And to encourage our partners to only engage with autocratic regimes in a way that advances international rules and norms.

Because when borders are invaded, when relationships are coercive or corrupt, and when rules breakdown, most people suffer.

But when societies and countries have secure borders, clear rules that are enforced, and mutually beneficial cooperation, everyone, everywhere, has the chance to succeed.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 6 May 2024.

HMS Trent seizes £204m of cocaine in latest drugs bust. It takes the total value of drugs seized in their Caribbean operation to more than half a billion.

In another dramatic drugs bust, the Royal Navy has disrupted drug networks across the world, by seizing £204m of cocaine following a pursuit in the Caribbean Sea.

Following this latest success, the crew of HMS Trent have now stopped £511 million worth of drugs from reaching our streets.

This latest bust came after HMS Trent was alerted to potential smugglers by a United States maritime patrol aircraft and used her powerful radars to track down the suspicious vessel.

With the Royal Navy ship closing in, the vessel started throwing bales of cocaine into the sea to try and evade capture.

The crew of HMS Trent then had to recover the drugs thrown overboard, and the extensive search operation ran throughout the night, with the crew eventually recovering more than more than 2.5 tonnes of cocaine.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

I’d like to congratulate the crew of HMS Trent for this latest bust, but also for their incredible work over the previous 5 months, seizing large amounts of drugs and disrupting global drug networks.

The Royal Navy continue to show that those who seek to profit from illegal drugs face the full force of justice, wherever they are in the world.

Following a double bust earlier in the year, where nearly £300 million of narcotics were seized, HMS Trent has given a decisive blow to drug networks across globe.

Trent has been deployed in the Caribbean Sea since December, specifically to hunt drug smugglers, maintain maritime security and uphold international law in the region.

Working with multinational partners, across five months of operations, the ship has seized 6,390kg of drugs with a street value of £511m.

Trent’s Commanding Officer, Commander Tim Langford, added:

The combined capabilities of the ship, the embarked US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment and our 47 Commando coxswains have proven once again the utility of our ship in countering narcotics smuggling.

Working seamlessly to complete another covert take down, Trent and her crew continue to achieve unparalleled success in intercepting traffickers.

Alongside their success in the Caribbean, the Royal Navy has simultaneously been disrupting criminal gangs halfway across the world, with HMS Lancaster seizing £33 million worth of drugs in the Gulf earlier this year, highlighting the fleet’s ability to operate in multiple theatres.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 18 April 2024.

British Army soldiers are a step closer to getting their hands on one of Europe’s most lethal tanks – the Challenger 3 – the Defence Secretary has announced.

• Latest Challenger 3 tanks finalising production.
• Supporting hundreds of UK jobs in Telford, Gateshead, Bristol and Bovington.
• 148 cutting-edge Main Battle Tanks to be provided to the British Army.

With advanced armour and devastating firepower, the Challenger 3 boasts an impressive range of state-of-the-art technology, making it the most lethal and survivable tank ever operated by the British Army.

The latest of eight Challenger 3 prototypes rolled off the Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land factory production line in Telford as the Defence Secretary had an opportunity to meet the engineers and apprentices who have worked on this crucial programme.

The first tank is already showing its capabilities on trials. All will be tested under operational conditions to validate their performance and make refinements, before another 140 are built and delivered to the British Army.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, said:

In a more dangerous world, the need for vehicles such as the Challenger 3 is imperative, as the threats facing the UK evolve. This tank will be at the heart of the British Army’s warfighting capabilities and will be integral to the UK’s deterrence.

The hard work and dedication on show in Telford and across the country is instrumental in driving forward UK defence innovation and delivering for our forces in the frontline.

Providing the Army’s Main Battle Tank, the Challenger 3 will remain in service until at least 2040.  This third iteration of the Challenger series includes a state-of-the-art turret with a more capable smoothbore gun, which is compatible with NATO ammunition, as well as improved armour and sensors.

The Army’s Director Programmes, Major General Jon Swift OBE said:

Challenger 3 will be at the heart of the Army’s Armoured Brigade Combat Teams, alongside Ajax and Boxer, and is critical to the Army’s warfighting capability and the UK’s contribution to NATO. The delivery of these prototype vehicles, the first of which has already started trials, marks a significant milestone on the Army’s modernisation journey.

Director General Land for Defence, Equipment and Support, Lieutenant General Simon Hamilton CBE said:

Delivering the capability the Army needs to be more lethal is vital in an increasingly uncertain and dangerous world. The Challenger 3 Programme is a cornerstone of the Army’s Future Soldier modernisation, and I am delighted to see the Army, DE&S and RBSL collaborating together to provide our soldiers with a world-class Main Battle Tank made here in the UK.

RBSL Managing Director, Will Gibby said:

RBSL is playing a key part in delivering the Land Industrial Strategy through its Challenger 3 programme, ensuring it benefits from the best of British engineering and manufacturing, whilst also sustaining valuable skills across the country.

Delivery of the first pre-production Challenger 3 and the commencement of trials marks a critical milestone in our delivery of this impressive capability to the British Army and will provide our soldiers with a world-class Main Battle Tank made here in the UK.

Challenger 3 is being delivered by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) under a £800 million contract, creating a number of highly skilled roles, with nearly 300 jobs generated within RBSL, including 130 engineers and 70 technicians, with an additional 450 jobs across the UK.

The contract is also attracting a £40 million inward investment in RBSL’s Telford facility, utilising a UK supply chain that includes companies in the West Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne and the Isle of Wight.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 15 April 2024.

The UK’s commitment to European security was reaffirmed by Defence Minister Minto on a visit to Bulgaria today (15 April).

• Defence Minister Minto represented the UK at the Black Sea Security Conference in Bulgaria.
• Minto affirmed the UK’s unwavering support to Ukraine and European security.
• Conference discussed cooperation in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and aggression in the Black Sea.

Attending the Black Sea Security Conference in Sofia alongside allies and partners, Minto represented the UK – a leading partner for Ukraine and other Black Sea states.

The conference was convened to promote cooperation and military capacity building in the face of Russia’s continued threat to stability in the Black Sea region. The conference aims to enhance the collaboration between the Black Sea states and partners in response to Putin’s aggression and illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The UK’s leadership of the Maritime Capability Coalition, announced by UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps in December 2023, was discussed during the conference as a means to grow Ukraine’s maritime capability now and in the long term.

Defence Minister, The Earl of Minto said:

One of many things that the UK and Bulgaria have in common is our steadfast support to Ukraine in the face of Putin’s barbaric invasion.

The UK and our allies and partners will continue to work together to give Ukraine what they need to defeat Russia and restore peace and security to the Black Sea region.

The UK’s commitment to modernise Ukraine’s Navy is demonstrated by the transfer of two former Royal Navy vessels to Ukraine, which arrived in Portsmouth last week.

In addition to maritime support, the Minister also set out the extensive package of military aid that the UK has provided to Ukraine to date, including £7 billion of funding, training of over 60,000 Ukrainian recruits, and donation of thousands of pieces of equipment to date.

The need to continue to back Ukraine to ensure they defeat Putin to restore peace and security in Europe was highlighted during the conference, which was attended by Ukrainian representatives.

While standing with Ukraine, the UK continues to support regional security, deploying Typhoons to Romania at the start of the month to conduct NATO Air Policing patrols, keeping the skies in the Black Sea region safe. Separately, thousands of UK Armed Forces are deploying on NATO Exercise Steadfast Defender across Europe this year.

While in Sofia, the Minister met Bulgarian Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, to discuss shared security challenges and defence priorities. The Minister also met Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister, Tochytskyi Mykola.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 15 April 2024.

Defence Minister, The Earl of Minto, addressed the Black Sea Security Conference in Bulgaria.

It would be remiss of me not to recognise the truly remarkable and significant effort and support Bulgaria has provided as a nation to the defence of Ukraine.

Through the export of lethal aid and arms to our allies in Kyiv, to diversifying your own energy supply away from Russia and expelling dozens of their agents masquerading as diplomats, Bulgaria has proven resolve and commitment to doing whatever is required.

Bulgaria has also played a critical role in Black Sea security. For example, I wish to highlight and commend the recent deal between Bulgaria, Turkey and Romania to clear sea mines, which will make shipping safer and increasing vital Ukrainian exports.

On behalf of the UK Government, I put on record our appreciation.

Ukraine has destroyed or put out of action 9 major vessels: a significant proportion of the Black Sea Fleet. Russian warships are unable to navigate freely for the first time since 1783, and grain exports returning towards pre-invasion levels, the successes of Ukraine in this arena are nothing short of exemplary.

That being said, we must guard against complacency.

And that starts with reminding the European and international community that the security of the Black Sea is not solely a Ukrainian concern.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, Putin’s barbaric invasion has pushed up global food prices by a third; frankly, a staggering statistic, and one with further ramifications in terms of global security and stability besides.

As many of you will know, the UK is proud to have provided extensive lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukraine, not least drones and precision Storm Shadow missiles to sink and scatter Russian warships.

But some of you may not be aware that we are also working closely with neighbouring Romania to establish the Maritime Regional Training Hub.

And, in particular, the UK is also working alongside Norway as co-founders and co-chairs of the Maritime Capability Coalition which is delivering long-term training, equipment and infrastructure support.

This Capability Coalition will ensure that Ukraine can establish and maintain its sovereignty in the naval domain, be that through traditional defence of its maritime zones, search and rescue operations along its own coastline, or in protecting its own exports by sea.

It also enables allies, through this Coalition and others, to get fully behind Ukraine’s military strategy and their Force Development Plan.

And it will help ensure our collective support is targeted where it is required most urgently.

The Coalition will also, in time, help Ukraine build a credible maritime force, that is interoperable with its allies, and a complement to NATO.

Together, we lay the foundations for a bright and secure post-war future.

By building on this support – and we must all continue to build – we can help Ukraine realise its goal to be a ‘net-exporter’ of Black Sea Security, which will strengthen us all.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 April 2024.

In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks.

We have moved several additional Royal Air Force jets and air refuelling tankers to the region. These will bolster Operation Shader, which is the UK’s existing counter-Daesh operation in Iraq and Syria. In addition, these UK jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required.

We will continue to cooperate closely with our regional partners in the interest of de-escalation.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 April 2024.

HMS Lancaster seizes almost £33 million worth of drugs in the Middle East.

In another blow to drug smugglers, Royal Navy warship HMS Lancaster seized drugs with a street value of nearly £33m as she struck twice against traffickers in the Middle East inside 24 hours.

Just weeks after HMS Trent struck a blow to Caribbean traffickers by seizing £17 million of illegal narcotics, their colleagues onboard HMS Lancaster pounced half a world away in the Indian Ocean.

Heroin, hashish and crystal meth were found by Lancaster’s sailors and Royal Marines – with more than two tonnes of the illegal drugs now having been destroyed.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

The fantastic achievements of the crew of HMS Lancaster and Royal Marine commandos in the Indian Ocean shows the important role our Navy plays policing the oceans. Their relentless effort and professionalism have dealt another decisive blow to criminal networks.

Following HMS Trent’s similar success in seizing a substantial amount of drugs on the other side of the world, the Royal Navy continue to lead the UK’s commitment to disrupting drug smugglers across the globe.

Operating as part of the Canadian-led Combined Task Force 150, which is dedicated to stopping criminal activity across more than million square miles of ocean in the Middle East, HMS Lancaster was on the very first day of her security patrol following a period of training when her Wildcat helicopter spotted a suspect vessel during a routine sortie.

In an operation lasting eight hours, Royal Marines from 42 Commando secured the vessel, allowing Lancaster’s sailors to board the vessel. Following an in-depth search, the team recovered nearly 100 packages containing heroin and crystal meth.

Shortly after this success, the ship’s Wildcat helicopter – from 815 Naval Air Squadron – launched a dusk patrol for another sweep of the Indian Ocean.

Once again aircrew came across a suspicious vessel, with the ship tracking her throughout the night, before commandos boarded in the morning and secured the dhow before sailors joined them to conduct another search.

This time, over six hours, they recovered 2.4 tonnes of hashish – bringing the total haul to 3.7 tonnes of illegal drugs seized.

Collectively the tally from the two drugs hauls had a street value of just under £33m according to the National Crime Agency.

Commanding Officer Commander Chris Sharp said:

I am exceptionally proud of the entire team in Lancaster executing these two interdictions on the first two days of our deployment.

Complex interceptions like these in such a challenging environment require true teamwork across the entire ship’s company. This success is shared with our partners in CTF 150 who provided essential support to the operation.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 April 2024.

The rollout of laser weapons systems far quicker than expected, following defence procurement reforms, with DragonFire to be on Royal Navy warships from 2027.

The cutting-edge DragonFire laser will be installed on Royal Navy warships for the first time from 2027 – far quicker than previously envisaged thanks to new defence procurement model which came into force this week.

Able to fire at any target visible in the air at around £10 a shot and with an accuracy equivalent to hitting a pound coin from a kilometre away, the powerful DragonFire weapon will provide highly effective defence against drone and missile threats.

Laser weapons were originally expected to be rolled out to UK armed forces in 2032.

But under a raft of reforms to defence procurement that came into effect this week and prioritisation within defence, the weapon will now be operational around five years earlier than planned.

A key part of the new reforms is delivering a minimum deployable capability quickly to personnel and finalising development once in-service, ensuring that personnel can access the tools they need for an evolving threat.

Under contract from Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), on behalf of the UK MOD, DragonFire has been developed in collaboration with UK industry partners MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

In a more dangerous world, our approach to procurement is shifting with it. We need to be more urgent, more critical and more global.

Our widespread reforms will deliver the latest kit and weaponry for our Armed Forces faster and help identify export opportunities that can boost the UK economy.

DragonFire shows the best of the UK at the forefront of military technology, and we will not delay in getting it in the hands of our military to face down the threats we’re facing.

The reforms will ensure more consistent delivery for the UK’s Armed Forces, helping avoid previous challenges where programmes have been over-complex, over-budget, and over time.

In addition to the minimum deployable capability, the new reforms include:

• New checks and balances such as the UK Strategic Command-based Integration Design Authority providing expert advice on integration. This will improve coherence and avoid some of the challenges faced in previous procurements.
• Greater empowerment of defence scientists, government export leads, finance experts and industry partners to challenge and shape proposals before they receive the go-ahead.
• The new model will set programmes up for success by consulting a wide range of experts early in the acquisition process. This will enable the MOD to take the right, expert-informed decisions from the start, saving time later on.
• Increased focus on exportability at the start of a new programme, to prioritise developing kit that can be sold to allies globally.
• Earlier engagement with the UK defence industry to ensure quicker delivery of kit into the hands of our Armed Forces.

Laser-directed energy weapons can engage targets at the speed of light and use an intense beam of light to cut through the target, leading to structural failure or more impactful results if the warhead is targeted.

DragonFire has the potential to be a long-term low-cost alternative to certain tasks missiles currently carry out, such as shooting down attack drones.Investing in this cutting edge laser technology puts the UK at the forefront of defence capabilities. Moreover, playing a significant part in reducing the challenges faced by traditional stockpiles.

Dstl’s Chief Executive Paul Hollinshead said:

This is excellent news, and a real step forward in enabling operational advantage at pace for UK Defence.

Dstl is all about preparing for the future and the DragonFire technology is a great example of that.

Our scientists along with industry partners have worked tirelessly to bring laser technology to where it is today, one which I am proud to say is a UK sovereign capability.

The new procurement model approach is in addition to avoiding competition between the military services for programmes to be approved and encouraging people to speak up in the face of emerging challenges for delivery – a key recommendation of Clive Sheldon KC’s report into the AJAX programme.

DE&S, the MOD’s procurement arm, has recently redesigned the way it operates so it can get equipment into the hands of our armed forces faster. Its new operating model features a single-entry point which will engage with the military earlier in the process, to help set up projects for success.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 11 April 2024.

Detecting and disabling sea mines will be critical to ensuring the security of the Black Sea in the long-term.

Two Ukrainian minehunter ships, recently transferred from the Royal Navy to Ukraine’s navy, have arrived in Portsmouth today ahead of a series of multi-national naval exercises.

The arrival of the ships, now named Cherkasy and Chernihiv, marks a significant step in the UK’s work to support the transformation and modernisation of Ukraine’s Navy.

Having sailed down from where they were previously based in Scotland, the two ships and their crew will start preparing for their first operational exercises since their transfer to the Ukrainian Navy was fully completed.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

The UK is leading the way in helping Ukraine to modernise its Navy. The transfer of these ships and the excellent training provided by the Royal Navy will have a real long-term impact on Ukraine’s ability to defend its waters.

We continue to support Ukraine as they deliver major blows to Putin’s Black Sea Fleet. In doing so, they are securing vital corridors to export grain and other materials, supporting their economy in the face of Russia’s barbaric bombardment.

The transfer of the vessels to Ukraine’s Navy was announced to coincide with the launch of the Maritime Capability Coalition, which the UK jointly leads with Norway, to provide assistance to Ukraine’s navy – including training, equipment, and infrastructure, to bolster security in the Black Sea region.

Ukraine has sunk or disabled around a third of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet since the start of the conflict through a series of precision-guided missile strikes and innovative use of maritime one-way attack drones. With support from the UK, Ukraine’s Black Sea activity has meant, despite ongoing Russian strikes against Odesa oblast, Ukraine has almost certainly exported more grain through its seaports in the first months of 2024 than at any time since the outbreak of the war.

Both ships will now be rebased in Portsmouth, where they will be prepared to take part in Exercise Sea Breeze 24, a joint countermeasure exercise between the Royal Navy, US Navy and Ukrainian Navy. This exercise will improve the ability of Ukraine’s navy to operate alongside NATO nations, increase agility amongst NATO navies, and demonstrates the UK and allies’ shared commitment to security and stability.

Transfer of the ships, previously named Shoreham and Grimsby, began last year – with both taking part in Exercise Joint Warrior 23 and Exercise Sea Breeze 23 in UK waters. Their transfer earlier this year was made possible by a buyer credit facility guarantee provided by the UK government’s export credit agency, UK Export Finance.

The ships are currently not able to enter the Black Sea due to the terms of the Montreux Convention, which restricts passage of military vessels through the Bosporus Strait at times of war. However, they will form a critical capability for Ukraine in its future defence of its coastlines as the UK looks to support the longer-term capabilities of the Ukrainian Navy, while they look to protect commercial shipping by detecting and disabling sea mines.

The UK’s dedication to supporting Ukraine has been unwavering since the illegal full-scale invasion in 2022. As one of the largest military donors to Ukraine, the UK has demonstrated its commitment through substantial military aid, committing more than £7 billion to supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine to date.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 11 April 2024.

The trilateral exercises will build on previous operations between the three countries – underlining the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific.

The UK, US and Japan will hold regular trilateral military exercises in the Indo-Pacific from 2025 to boost security in the region and further develop the ability of each country’s armed forces to operate together.

The Indo-Pacific is particularly important for the UK due to growing economic ties with countries in the region, and the UK already conducts various exercises in the area – with HMS Spey and HMS Tamar continuously deployed.

The trilateral exercises will build on previous operations between the three countries – underlining the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific.

Last year, the Prime Minister signed the Atlantic Declaration with US President Joe Biden, and agreed the Hiroshima Accord with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, both of which committed the UK to further increase defence activity with each country – with a particular focus on bolstering collective security and mutual prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

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.

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.

A safe and stable Indo-Pacific is vital to our collective security, allowing free and unhindered trade and travel, and our world-leading partnerships with Japan and the US further emphasise our commitment to the region.

Next year, Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales will be deployed to the region at the head of a Carrier Strike Group, which will conduct a series of operations and exercises with partners and allies – including a port visit in Japan. It follows the successful deployment of her sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, to the region in 2021.

Further work to boost regional security is taking place between the UK and US via the AUKUS programme, which will see the construction of conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines to be delivered to Australia’s navy. The programme is providing a massive boost to the UK’s defence industry, with the Defence Secretary having visited Australia last month where it was confirmed a British business will partner with an Australian company to build the submarines.

An announcement on Monday confirmed for Pillar Two of the AUKUS programme, which focuses on collaboration around the development of advanced new military technologies, that Australia, the UK, and US will consult with other countries, including Japan, to potentially contribute to the programme.

The UK also works closely with Japan as part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which, along with Italy, will deliver a next-generation fighter jet to enter service from 2035 in a significant capability boost for all countries involved.