Britain to send largest warship, carrier strike group to Indian Ocean next year

The UK is sending its largest warship, plane provider HMS Queen Elizabeth, and its strike job group to the Indian Ocean early subsequent yr for its maiden voyage, with London describing the transfer because the nation’s “most ambitious deployment for two decades”.

The deployment comes in opposition to the backdrop of rising curiosity within the Indo-Pacific in Europe amid considerations over China’s elevated assertiveness, and the UK’s personal considerations over Chinese actions in its former colony of Hong Kong, which London says have undermined the settlement on leaving the area unchanged till 2047.

Also learn | Britain will get prepared for roll-out of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine this week

“Next year, HMS Queen Elizabeth will lead a British and allied task group on the UK’s most ambitious deployment for two decades, its route will encompass the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean and East Asia,” a British excessive fee spokesperson mentioned.

“It is a natural choice for the inaugural deployment of the carrier strike task group to include a visit to the Indian Ocean and East Asia. The deployment is a sign of the UK’s commitment to regional security,” the spokesperson added.

France, Germany and the Netherlands have unveiled their methods for the Indo-Pacific, which dovetail with India’s dedication to freedom of navigation and a rules-based order, and a few consultants see the deployment of Britain’s provider job group as an effort to strengthen its relevance amid Brexit.

The British mission’s spokesperson described the Indo-Pacific as “increasingly important for the UK, as it is at the centre of global economic growth and a region of increasing geostrategic importance”. The UK has a “range of enduring security interests in the region”, the spokesperson mentioned.

The spokesperson additionally described the UK and India as “natural partners in defence” that “already have high levels of interoperability”, as is obvious from bi-annual workouts involving all three providers and their joint work on the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

The 65,000-tonne HMS Queen Elizabeth, which may carry as much as 40 plane, was commissioned in late 2017 however subsequent yr’s deployment will mark its maiden voyage in worldwide waters. The provider job group is predicted to conduct joint workouts with the US Navy and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, although it couldn’t instantly be confirmed if there are plans for comparable drills with the Indian Navy.

The British mission’s spokesperson mentioned the Royal Navy and the Indian Navy have “strong bilateral ties” and coaching collectively below the Konkan Exercise, a bilateral drill held biennially.

“The strong maritime relationship with India and other regional partners, regular deployments and a permanent naval presence provides the ability for the UK government to react quickly to a variety of emerging security and humanitarian situations with partners, as well as upholding international maritime law in support of the rules-based international system,” the spokesperson mentioned.

The UK has a long-standing presence within the Gulf and Indian Ocean by way of Operation Kipion, which now includes the everlasting presence of seven warships at any time, sometimes one frigate or destroyer supported by a tanker and a four-strong squadron of mine-hunters with a assist ship.

The British facet additionally pointed to the Royal Navy’s growing presence within the Indian Ocean, the place HMS Dragon warship seized medication with a avenue worth of greater than £200 million throughout operations final yr. These operations are backed by maritime info exchanges equivalent to a white transport settlement with India overlaying the entire Indian Ocean.

Sameer Patil, fellow for worldwide safety research at Gateway House, mentioned the British naval deployment ought to be seen in gentle of two elements – the UK’s efforts to stay related amid its exit from the European Union, and Britain’s considerations over China’s crackdown on Hong Kong.

“The UK has a key presence in the Indian Ocean through the Diego Garcia base that is leased to the US. The British naval deployment shows the importance of the region, especially when other European countries are taking the lead in this area,” he mentioned.