
In a powerful demonstration of global Britain's commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific, Defence Secretary John Healey has greenlit the deployment of the Royal Navy's formidable aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, to Japan.
The announcement, made during high-level talks in Tokyo, solidifies a new era of defence cooperation between the two nations. The deployment is a central pillar of a landmark partnership that will see British and Japanese forces train, exercise, and operate together to ensure stability in a critically important region.
The colossal HMS Prince of Wales, one of the most advanced warships ever built by the UK, will spearhead this mission. It is slated to undertake a series of joint exercises and operations with the Japanese military and other international partners from its strategic base in Yokosuka.
This move represents a significant strategic shift, cementing the UK's long-term presence in the Pacific and underscoring its dedication to working alongside key allies like Japan. The partnership is designed to bolster a collective defence posture and uphold the international rules-based order.
Mr. Healey emphasised that this deployment is a clear signal of the UK's unwavering resolve to stand with its partners in tackling shared global security challenges, ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific for years to come.