Japan and Britain send ‘symbolic message’ to China with joint naval drills near disputed islands
- ‘Japan based its security almost entirely on the US, but it has now decided it needs to supplement – although not replace – that relationship,’ expert says
- The British carrier group, led by the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, will conduct further training with South Korean naval and air units next week
A Royal Navy task force headed by aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth held its first naval drill earlier this week with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force off Okinawa, as part of Britain’s bid to join the US and its allies in an expanded role in Indo-Pacific security.
The exercise involved the aircraft carrier and HMS Defender and HMS Kent, accompanied by the Dutch warship HNLMS Evertsen, the USS The Sullivans and USS New Orleans as well as the Japanese destroyer Asahi.
Tuesday’s exercise involved British and US F-35 stealth fighters taking off from the deck of the 64,000 ton aircraft carrier and cross-deck training utilising British helicopters and US Osprey transport aircraft.
Rear Admiral Yasushige Konno said it was “very meaningful” to take part in a joint exercise with nations that have already deployed the F-35 fighter. The US and Britain are the only nations using the aircraft, although Japan has bought a number of the state-of-the-art fighters and eventually intends to operate 42 of the F-35B, which has vertical take-off capability and will likely be aboard Japan’s upgraded Izumo light carrier.
“It is essential to strengthen cooperation with countries that share universal values, regardless of geographical distance,” Konno said.