Global Security Briefing The UK's 2025 Carrier Strike Group Deployment and Britain's Indo-Pacific Tilt.
Sep 3, 2025
Philip Shetler-Jones, a Senior Research Fellow at RUSI, dives into Britain's strategic shift towards the Indo-Pacific, focusing on the 2025 deployment of the HMS Prince of Wales. He discusses the deepening defense ties between the UK and Japan, along with the geopolitical challenges in the region. The conversation touches on the complexities surrounding US-China relations, Japan's emerging military role, and the future of UK naval operations amid fiscal constraints. Shetler-Jones provides insights into the broader implications of this naval presence on international security.
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Middle Powers' Interoperability Strategy
- Middle powers are seeking interoperable capabilities to deter pacing threats without matching China's scale single-handedly.
- Collective capability and interoperability offer deterrent value despite lacking rare U.S. niche assets.
Military-Led UK–Japan Partnership
- The UK-Japan relationship is strongly military-led, with defence cooperation more visible than economic ties.
- Japan frames the UK as its closest security partner in Europe but avoids calling it an 'ally' for legal and political reasons.
Encourage Reciprocal Commitments
- Expect and encourage reciprocal Japanese contributions to European and global security to deepen the partnership.
- Track announced steps like Japan deploying F-15s to Europe as signals of growing reciprocity.