Britain's RAF fighters 'bound for Japan for first time in decades' as UK builds military ties

[mike2000 is back]

RAF fighters 'bound for Japan for first time in decades' as UK builds military ties
Sending Typhoons jets to the country would be the first time British fighters have gone to Japan since the Cold War

An RAF Typhoon taking off from RAF Coningsby Photo: Eddie Mulholland/The Telegraph


By Ben Farmer, Defence Correspondent

12:01AM GMT 08 Jan 2016


Britain is considering sending fighter jets to Japan for the first time in decades for joint combat exercises in the country, amid heightened tension in the region over China’s territorial claims.

The announcement of closer military ties with Tokyo came as the Foreign Secretary said that any attempt to restrict air or sea travel in the disputed South China Sea would be viewed as a "red flag".

Philip Hammond said freedom of navigation and overflight in the region, where tensions are high over territorial disputes between China and its neighbours are “non-negotiable” for Britain.

A RAF Typhoon

"Possibilities for the exercise include a deployment of RAF Typhoon to the region"
Ministry of Defence

Britain will hold at least one joint military exercise with Japan this year by either sending Typhoon fighter jets to the country, or inviting Japanese troops to large scale Nato exercises in Europe, the Ministry of Defence said.

The two countries will also build ties with staff exchanges, designing a new air-to-air missile together and granting each other access to bases.

Defence sources said a deployment of Typhoons would not be not meant as a message to China, or to North Korea, but to strengthen ties with what is now Britain’s closest security ally in Asia.

Britain's Defence Secretary Michael Fallon looks around the National War Memorial after laying a wreath in Otawa November 21, 2015.

Sending Typhoons to the country would be the first time British fighters have gone to Japan since the Cold War.

Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, will begin a visit to Tokyo on Friday by telling his Japanese counterpart he wants to “significantly deepen defence cooperation between our two nations”.

Japan has begun significantly bolstering its military in the face of what it sees as Chinese belligerence over the disputed Senkaku islands in the East China Sea.

Last year the country approved its largest-ever defence budget and also voted in changes to its pacifist constitution that could allow its troops to fight overseas for the first time since 1945.

The East China and South China seas have both become increasingly militarised in recent years as longstanding territorial disputes between China and Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam have flared.

A Chinese island building programme in the South China Sea has led to fears Beijing is preparing to impose a no-fly zone over them.

IN NUMBERS
Britain's 2015 defence review

F-35 fighter jet (Photo: Reuters)
The government's 2015 defence plan includes:

£178bn

to be spent on equipment in next decade
£7bn

efficiency savings expected from defence chiefs
2

new RAF Typhoon squadrons
2

new rapid reaction strike brigades of 5,000 troops by 2025
9

new Boeing P-8 maritime patrol planes
£2bn

more on special forces
1,900

more spies for MI5, MI6 and GCHQ
450

new sailors for the Royal Navy
42

F-35 stealth fighters bought by 2023


Japan, UK Announce Increased Defense And Security Cooperation

@Nihonjin1051

 

[Aepsilons]

Hopefully we an see more coordination with the RAF in patrolling the precarious air region in the Middle East and also in the maintenance of law and order near the Gulf of Aden. It would be unwise to overcomplicate the region in the South China Sea or East Sea / Sea of Japan with more foreign navies and militaries in that region.

Japanese-British cooperation in air interdiction is necessary here:

As this is the nexus of piracy activity and terrorist infiltration. We should also bolster further participation of our EU NAVFOR as well as the Chinese in helping maintain balance in this heavily unstable region.

Good to see military to military budding relationship and hope to further military exchanges on a positive manner that bolsters Japanese interest and security in the world.

 

[Viet]

Any attempt to restrict freedom of navigation and overflight in the SC Sea is considered as "red flag" aka reason for war if I correctly understand the British position.

Interesting.

Mike, Welcome to the party!

 

[Aepsilons]

Any attempt to restrict freedom of navigation and overflight in the SC Sea is considered as "red flag" aka reason for war if I correctly understand the British position.

Interesting.

Mike, Welcome to the party!

No the British won't be doing air interdiction over the South China Sea, theirs is a reciprocity program with the JASDF as the JASDF expects to expand exchange programs with the British in the Horn of Africa and Greater Middle East Region.

Besides, the British do not have the resources to commit any forces to the SCS /ES given their forces are already vested in the Middle East and anti-terrorist operations.

 

[Slave_to_the_waffle]

Always fashionably late to the party, eh @mike2000 is back http://data:image/png;base64,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 http://data:image/png;base64,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

? Hoping this goes through, seeing the Typhoon alongside these would be a wonderful sight!!!

 

[mike2000 is back]

Always fashionably late to the party, eh @mike2000 is back http://data:image/png;base64,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 http://data:image/png;base64,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? Hoping this goes through, seeing the Typhoon alongside these would be a wonderful sight!!!

Better late than never sis.

Japan, UK Announce Increased Defense And Security Cooperation

By Andrew Chuter12:18 p.m. EST January 8, 2016

TWEET 9LINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE

Britain and Japan are to take further steps to broaden their defense and security cooperation, including investigating the development of an existing air-to-air missile and joint combat jet exercise, senior UK ministers announced during a visit to Tokyo on Jan. 8.

“Japan is our closest security partner in Asia and I want to significantly deepen defense cooperation between our two nations” UK Defence Secretary Micheal Fallon said in a statement released to coincide with the visit.

Fallon listed defense equipment cooperation, joint exercises, reciprocal access to military bases and military personnel exchanges among the areas the British want to see deeper cooperation on.

The defence secretary was in Tokyo alongside British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond for meetings with their Japanese counterparts, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani. Hammond also met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In a joint statement released at the end of the visit, the two sides said they were taking forward a project known as the Joint New Air-to-Air Missile (JNAAM) to a second feasibility stage, having successfully concluded a first phase of work.

An MoD spokesman said no details were available on the missile program.

It has been widely reported though that the two sides are looking at a development of MBDA’s new ramjet-powered Meteor beyond a visual range missile built for British, French, Swedish and other air forces.

New advanced, electronically scanned seeker technology involving Mitsubishi Electric is one possible development, according to the reports.

Japan is purchasing the Lockheed Martin F-35 for its future combat air requirements and is looking for a new generation beyond a visual range air-to-air weapon capable of fitting in the aircraft's internal weapons bay — which the Meteor does. Aside from the possible long-term missile development, the joint statement said progress was being made on other possible defense equipment programs.

A chemical and biological protection technology cooperative research project is already underway, and the statement confirmed the two sides would start a new joint study on personnel vulnerability evaluation.

On the military front, the two sides said they would continue to develop a range of initiatives, including joint exercises on mine sweeping in the Arabian Gulf and potential cooperation in improving amphibious capabilities and counter-IED capabilities. The British said they are considering sending Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets to Japan later this year for an exercise and were looking at other exercise possibilities.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond during the visit to Japan. Copyright British Embassy/Michael Feather

It was also confirmed the two sides will be conducting a joint research project this year involving military cyber analysts. Joint cyber exercises are also on the agenda.

The meeting comes at a time of rising tensions in the region triggered by Chinese island building strategy in the South China Sea and the North Korean announcement on Jan. 6 that it had tested a hydrogen bomb for the first time.

The Japanese also have a growing territorial dispute with the Chinese over the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea. Japan was described in last November's British Government strategic defence and security review (SDSR) as London’s closet security partner in Asia.

The review said Britain would considerably strengthen defense, political and diplomatic cooperation as Tokyo takes an increasingly global outlook on security issues.

Recent years has seen Japan ease restrictions on the ability of Japanese armed forces to operate overseas and a ban on the export of defense equipment has also been partially lifted.

In December, the Abe government announced a significant increase in its defense spending.

The result of that easing of export restrictions saw Kawaski’s P-1 maritime patrol jet become a contender for Britain’s maritime patrol aircraft requirement before the UK government decided to acquire Boeing P-8s without holding a competition.

In the run up to the decision, taken as part of the defense review, industry executives said Treasury ministers were interested in the P-1 as it generated far greater general trade opportunities for Britain than the purchase of the P-8.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond during the visit to Japan. Copyright British Embassy/Michael Feather

The move toward closer military ties first included the signing of a defense equipment cooperation framework and an information security agreement in mid-2013. That was followed by a defense and foreign ministers meeting in London early last year.

However, Japan’s drive for collaborative partners is not limited to the British. France has also signed cooperation pacts in the last 12 months and the US has been a long-time partner across a range of programs.

Japan, UK Announce Increased Defense And Security Cooperation

Hopefully we an see more coordination with the RAF in patrolling the precarious air region in the Middle East and also in the maintenance of law and order near the Gulf of Aden. It would be unwise to overcomplicate the region in the South China Sea or East Sea / Sea of Japan with more foreign navies and militaries in that region.

Japanese-British cooperation in air interdiction is necessary here:

As this is the nexus of piracy activity and terrorist infiltration. We should also bolster further participation of our EU NAVFOR as well as the Chinese in helping maintain balance in this heavily unstable region.

Good to see military to military budding relationship and hope to further military exchanges on a positive manner that bolsters Japanese interest and security in the world.

Well, What i find interesting in this article is that Britain is ready to grant access to all its military bases spread around the world to Japan. This is very interesting and shows the level of trusts that exists between both countries, since we have so far giving access to our foreign military bases only to the U.S and most recently France, both are obviously our two closest allies. So it's interesting to see Japan is now included in this alliance.

As for middle East and gulf of Aden we already have enough presence/bases in these regions and we have been operating there for decades now. So i think this move is more about reorienting our security focus to Asia as well, since we have been neglecting security relations/cooperation with East Asian/pacific countries for a long time now. Reason our Defence ministers/officials have started a charm offensive lately by visiting several Asian countries from China to Philippines to Japan etc. I think this is a god move. Since it helps build security relations with Asian countries and strengthens our partnership/cooperation as well. It also means maybe one day we can even mediate in SCS issue, since we are a neutral partner in this conflict/dispute.

 

[Aepsilons]

Better late than never sis.

Japan, UK Announce Increased Defense And Security Cooperation

By Andrew Chuter12:18 p.m. EST January 8, 2016

TWEET 9LINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE

Britain and Japan are to take further steps to broaden their defense and security cooperation, including investigating the development of an existing air-to-air missile and joint combat jet exercise, senior UK ministers announced during a visit to Tokyo on Jan. 8.

“Japan is our closest security partner in Asia and I want to significantly deepen defense cooperation between our two nations” UK Defence Secretary Micheal Fallon said in a statement released to coincide with the visit.

Fallon listed defense equipment cooperation, joint exercises, reciprocal access to military bases and military personnel exchanges among the areas the British want to see deeper cooperation on.

The defence secretary was in Tokyo alongside British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond for meetings with their Japanese counterparts, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani. Hammond also met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In a joint statement released at the end of the visit, the two sides said they were taking forward a project known as the Joint New Air-to-Air Missile (JNAAM) to a second feasibility stage, having successfully concluded a first phase of work.

An MoD spokesman said no details were available on the missile program.

It has been widely reported though that the two sides are looking at a development of MBDA’s new ramjet-powered Meteor beyond a visual range missile built for British, French, Swedish and other air forces.

New advanced, electronically scanned seeker technology involving Mitsubishi Electric is one possible development, according to the reports.

Japan is purchasing the Lockheed Martin F-35 for its future combat air requirements and is looking for a new generation beyond a visual range air-to-air weapon capable of fitting in the aircraft's internal weapons bay — which the Meteor does. Aside from the possible long-term missile development, the joint statement said progress was being made on other possible defense equipment programs.

A chemical and biological protection technology cooperative research project is already underway, and the statement confirmed the two sides would start a new joint study on personnel vulnerability evaluation.

On the military front, the two sides said they would continue to develop a range of initiatives, including joint exercises on mine sweeping in the Arabian Gulf and potential cooperation in improving amphibious capabilities and counter-IED capabilities. The British said they are considering sending Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets to Japan later this year for an exercise and were looking at other exercise possibilities.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond during the visit to Japan. Copyright British Embassy/Michael Feather

It was also confirmed the two sides will be conducting a joint research project this year involving military cyber analysts. Joint cyber exercises are also on the agenda.

The meeting comes at a time of rising tensions in the region triggered by Chinese island building strategy in the South China Sea and the North Korean announcement on Jan. 6 that it had tested a hydrogen bomb for the first time.

The Japanese also have a growing territorial dispute with the Chinese over the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea. Japan was described in last November's British Government strategic defence and security review (SDSR) as London’s closet security partner in Asia.

The review said Britain would considerably strengthen defense, political and diplomatic cooperation as Tokyo takes an increasingly global outlook on security issues.

Recent years has seen Japan ease restrictions on the ability of Japanese armed forces to operate overseas and a ban on the export of defense equipment has also been partially lifted.

In December, the Abe government announced a significant increase in its defense spending.

The result of that easing of export restrictions saw Kawaski’s P-1 maritime patrol jet become a contender for Britain’s maritime patrol aircraft requirement before the UK government decided to acquire Boeing P-8s without holding a competition.

In the run up to the decision, taken as part of the defense review, industry executives said Treasury ministers were interested in the P-1 as it generated far greater general trade opportunities for Britain than the purchase of the P-8.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond during the visit to Japan. Copyright British Embassy/Michael Feather

The move toward closer military ties first included the signing of a defense equipment cooperation framework and an information security agreement in mid-2013. That was followed by a defense and foreign ministers meeting in London early last year.

However, Japan’s drive for collaborative partners is not limited to the British. France has also signed cooperation pacts in the last 12 months and the US has been a long-time partner across a range of programs.

Japan, UK Announce Increased Defense And Security Cooperation



Well, What i find interesting in this article is that Britain is ready to grant access to all its military bases spread around the world to Japan. This is very interesting and shows the level of trusts that exists between both countries, since we have so far giving access to our foreign military bases only to the U.S and most recently France, both are obviously our two closest allies. So it's interesting to see Japan is now included in this alliance.

As for middle East and gulf of Aden we already have enough presence/bases in these regions and we have been operating there for decades now. So i think this move is more about reorienting our security focus to Asia as well, since we have been neglecting security relations/cooperation with East Asian/pacific countries for a long time now. Reason our Defence ministers/officials have started a charm offensive lately by visiting several Asian countries from China to Philippines to Japan etc. I think this is a god move. Since it helps build security relations with Asian countries and strengthens our partnership/cooperation as well. It also means maybe one day we can even mediate in SCS issue, since we are a neutral partner in this conflict/dispute.

Michael , you sound like a diplomat, I like this part of you. And yes, I raise my cup to growing Anglo-Japanese security cooperation. In Asia, Africa, and beyond.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Michael , you sound like a diplomat, I like this part of you. And yes, I raise my cup to growing Anglo-Japanese security cooperation. In Asia, Africa, and beyond.

As two islands with a long history of naval warfare , its only natural that we ought to be strong allies like we were during the first world war.
So yes we will continue deepening our security relations/cooperation with Japan and many other Asian countries.


PM Wants To Rebuild Britain's Military Presence "East Of Suez"

British participation in military exercises in Southeast Asia will be stepped up as a sign of the UK's commitment to the region.

The move is the latest sign of the Government's intention to reverse the decline in engagement "east of Suez" and will see the number of troops involved in the exercises increase from 100 next year to 200 by 2021, with Typhoon aircraft also set to take part in the wargames.

The exercises take place under the Five Powers Defence Arrangement (FPDA), which involves the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Last year, British military personnel took part in Exercise Bersama Lima in Malaysia, including 30 Royal Marines who contributed to training and capability development.

This year the UK will send RAF Typhoons to take part In FPDA exercises alongside other "high-end capabilities", British officials said. The FPDA, which dates back to 1971, means that if Malaysia or Singapore came under attack, the other three allies would consult on what action to take in response.

PM Wants To Rebuild Britain's Military Presence "East Of Suez" | Forces TV

All good news @Nihonjin1051 . If Malaysia or Singapore would allow us to repeat the model we use in the middle east, having a small permanent detachment and deployments from bigger assets. It would be a great way to strengthen ties in the area and develop a presence, even if small at first.

 

[Aepsilons]

As two islands with a long history of naval warfare , its only natural that we ought to be strong allies like we were during the first world war.
So yes we will continue deepening our security relations/cooperation with Japan and many other Asian countries.


PM Wants To Rebuild Britain's Military Presence "East Of Suez"

British participation in military exercises in Southeast Asia will be stepped up as a sign of the UK's commitment to the region.

The move is the latest sign of the Government's intention to reverse the decline in engagement "east of Suez" and will see the number of troops involved in the exercises increase from 100 next year to 200 by 2021, with Typhoon aircraft also set to take part in the wargames.

The exercises take place under the Five Powers Defence Arrangement (FPDA), which involves the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Last year, British military personnel took part in Exercise Bersama Lima in Malaysia, including 30 Royal Marines who contributed to training and capability development.

This year the UK will send RAF Typhoons to take part In FPDA exercises alongside other "high-end capabilities", British officials said. The FPDA, which dates back to 1971, means that if Malaysia or Singapore came under attack, the other three allies would consult on what action to take in response.

PM Wants To Rebuild Britain's Military Presence "East Of Suez" | Forces TV

Michael,

I like to analyze the variables on the table to get a better understanding of the strategic and tactical picture. What you said is all fine and dandy , great Public Relations material, indeed. However you must know that Japan's current maneuvers have hurt the diplomatic relations between Tokyo and Beijing. China , as you may know, is our largest trading partner and beneficiary of over $150 Billion worth in investments , home to over 4200 Japanese companies and hosts over 150.000 Nihonjin overseas who live and work there. In fact some would say excessive verbiage hurts Japanese relations with China, hence the recent softening of tone in communication with our Chinese partners, in context to territorial issues.

My concern , Mike, is that Britain, too, is a major trading partner of China's. The cultural, economic and local government exchange between London and Beijing have led to flowering relations between the two. It would be most infortuituous for our British peers to entangle themselves in the SCS and East Sea / Sea of Japan paradigm. Perhaps it's best to remain strategically ambiguous in this theater.


Regards my friend.

 

[waz]

Great move! I hope UK and Japanese relations go from strength to strength. We should have some very big infrastructure projects coming up hint hint.
Aside this, I believe ties should be further cemented with Singapore and Malaysia. These are our commonwealth compatriots, with whom there is a long history.

 

[Aepsilons]

Great move! I hope UK and Japanese relations go from strength to strength. We should have some very big infrastructure projects coming up hint hint.
Aside this, I believe ties should be further cemented with Singapore and Malaysia. These are our commonwealth compatriots, with whom there is a long history.

@waz , it was recently made known to me that Britain also has a permanent military base in Bandar Seri Beghawan, Brunei Negara Darulsalam.

 

[cnleio]

RAF fighters 'bound for Japan for first time in decades' as UK builds military ties
Sending Typhoons jets to the country would be the first time British fighters have gone to Japan since the Cold War

Britain is considering sending fighter jets to Japan for the first time in decades for joint combat exercises in the country, amid heightened tension in the region over China’s territorial claims.

The announcement of closer military ties with Tokyo came as the Foreign Secretary said that any attempt to restrict air or sea travel in the disputed South China Sea would be viewed as a "red flag".

Philip Hammond said freedom of navigation and overflight in the region, where tensions are high over territorial disputes between China and its neighbours are “non-negotiable” for Britain.

My friend, if Britian wanna join the SCS dispute party ... i do think BeiJing will play Falklands card with Argentina to respond our 'best friend in the West', who knows next time what stuffs China can export to Argentina =) ...

 

[mike2000 is back]

Michael,

I like to analyze the variables on the table to get a better understanding of the strategic and tactical picture. What you said is all fine and dandy , great Public Relations material, indeed. However you must know that Japan's current maneuvers have hurt the diplomatic relations between Tokyo and Beijing. China , as you may know, is our largest trading partner and beneficiary of over $150 Billion worth in investments , home to over 4200 Japanese companies and hosts over 150.000 Nihonjin overseas who live and work there. In fact some would say excessive verbiage hurts Japanese relations with China, hence the recent softening of tone in communication with our Chinese partners, in context to territorial issues.

My concern , Mike, is that Britain, too, is a major trading partner of China's. The cultural, economic and local government exchange between London and Beijing have led to flowering relations between the two. It would be most infortuituous for our British peers to entangle themselves in the SCS and East Sea / Sea of Japan paradigm. Perhaps it's best to remain strategically ambiguous in this theater.


Regards my friend.

Nope, Britain has no security issues/conflict with China, neither do we have any conflict of interests with China. Reason we have been the most open/welcoming country in the west towards any Chinese investment and our relations with China has only been increasing year in year out. In fact our foreign secretary made a visit to China(where both countries reaffirmed their discontent with North Korea's nuclear test and discuss about the type of action the international should adopt as a result of this test) before even heading to Japan. So it's not a zero sum game. It's more about reorienting our focus/interests to Asia which is the world's new emerging powerhouse,so it's only natural European powers from France to Britain to Germany will be focusing more and more towards Asia as time goes by. It's not really aimed against any specific country, since we have no real stake in this dispute per se.

China, Britain vow AIIB cooperation, visa facilitation - Xinhua | English.news.cn
China, Britain pledge closer cooperation | gbtimes.com
Britain, China seek return to six-party talks on North Korea: Hammond| Reuters

We also voiced similar concerns in Japan for peace and stability is Asia pacific against North Korea's nuclear provocations
KUNA : Japan, UK to work on further measures against N. Korea - Politics - 08/01/2016

Same in S.Korea when british defence secretary was in Seoul.
UK Urges Seoul To 'Show Restraint' With N Korea - News - Heart Radio

and in Philippines as well.
British envoy in Manila to strengthen UK, PH partnership | Inquirer Global Nation

Charm offensive indeed.

@waz , it was recently made known to me that Britain also has a permanent military base in Bandar Seri Beghawan, Brunei Negara Darulsalam.

We have a military presence/base in Brunei for almost half a century now. There are about 2000 British soldiers in Brunei as of 2015. The was recently extended when David Cameron visited to Brunei.

Cameron in deal to extend British troops' stay in Brunei - Telegraph

 

[Oldman1]

My friend, if Britian wanna join the SCS dispute party ... i do think BeiJing will play Falklands card with Argentina to respond our 'best friend in the West', who knows next time what stuffs China can export to Argentina =) ...

Argentina is not in position to do anything with Falklands even with Chinese support.

 

[Abacin]

This simply validates Chinese island reclamation in SCS. Welcome the world's first airport from island reclamation, starting from a rock. The 3300 m Runaway is as long as most international airports. You will also see the travel, fishing, cruises etc. in these islands. As long as China can run a profitable business with reclaimed islands, all other countries can only have their big mouths about FON and envy the expansion of China. The great manufacturing power of China guarantees that other countries, including old manufacturing powers such as USA, Japan, and Britain can only talk while we work.