The US Chief of Naval Operations met in London with the First Sea Lord of the United Kingdom and the French Chief of Naval Staff.
This is the first time the three chiefs have held such an event. The importance of such collaboration can’t be overstated given the increase in maritime competition worldwide and recent geo-political events.
As a result of the half-day session, the three chiefs affirmed their commitment to increased interoperability in a signed agreement that stated, “We believe this increased trilateral cooperation will help secure a future that is not only in the interests of our three nations, but in the common interests of our allies, partners, and all likeminded nations who are committed to peace, prosperity, and maritime security.”
The US, UK and French navies have regularly operated together around the world. During this trilateral event, the three chiefs agreed there is room for more joint operations and for enhanced cooperation in the undersea domain and power projection.
Each navy is committed to an open and free maritime system based on respect for international law. Continued trilateral engagement and cooperation is in the interest of each individual country, NATO and the overall maritime community.
If Labour get into power on June 8th, they have promised huge social spending, and that can mean one thing, cuts in defence spending. Participating in joint action will be difficult in the mid to long term, as I’m convinced the following cuts will apply. Early decommissioning of Trident with no replacement, sell off HMS Prince Charles, reduce Type 26 and Type 31 orders (possibly three of each?). The army and airforce will possibly see some key programmes cut or cancelled. From what I have read and heard, Corbin’s government will increased spending on policing and anti terror resources. I’m… Read more »
‘If Labour get into power on June 8th’
they’ll have to go some to match the tories slashing of defence since 2010.
‘Early decommissioning of Trident with no replacement’ – party policy is renewal regardless of Corbyn’s persponal views.
Let’s just wait and see, however, more midstream Labour ministers of the past, have taken a knife to defence. Corbin strikes me as someone who always puts welfare before any other priority, therefore, a difficult man to reason with irrespective of importance, such as defence?
Labour have committed to the NATO minimum of spending 2% of GDP on defence.
Blimey Maurice. We live in a democracy mate. Not sure parliament would allow Corbyn to do any of what you have outlined. Besides it is highly unlikely scenario that Labour are going to win under his leadership.
We need as a nation though to respect democracy and let the citizens of the UK decide based upon the political parties manifestos. Not fear mongering and supposed dreamt up worse case scenarios.
Actually, the UK does a piss poor impression of being a true democracy as “the Executive” has so much power.
Well, it all depends on how much power Corbin attains. On the question of Trident, he could be guaranteed the full support of the SNP. Depending on the size of his majority and by gaining support from others, such an objective could be realised? As for general downgrading of the 2% of GDP on defence, I believe he would not lose too much sleep over that. As for the somewhat gloomy forecast I wrote above, the same applies, it’s all politics, democratic or otherwise. If Corbin does manage to get in with a small working majority, I’m sure defence will… Read more »
If Corbyn gets in it will not be pretty for defence. Granted, I accept there could be a limit placed on what he could do with majority size etc., but it’s well known he is no fan of defence and anything less than the meagre resources we have at present will hurt significantly; we’re threadbare as it is. I agree the Dreadnaught program would be cancelled immediately and the resources routed to letting who ever the hell wants to come in and setup shop here – at the British taxpayers expense. Let’s face it, aside from defence, we are totally… Read more »
‘If Corbyn gets in it will not be pretty for defence’
as you point out later it’s not been pretty for defence under the tories – not that the press has said much about it, as they would have done if it had been Labour cuts.
‘Let’s face it, aside from defence, we are totally screwed if he gets in’
Most people are pretty well screwed now, under the tories.
“Most people are pretty well screwed now, under the tories.” – unemployment is falling, the economy’s growing – so how exactly are “most people” screwed HF?
I believe the current Tory policy is more on track, than when austerity first began. Under their watch the carries did get completed, Type 26 and 31’s given the green light, retention of Tranche 1 Typhoons and the confirmation of F35 procurement. In addition, the green light for the Ajax armoured carrier family, Challenger 2 upgrade, commissioning of new troop and fueling aircraft and C130 replacement plus a Nimrod successor. And the conformation for the building of four new Trident subs, and the completion of the Astute programme. Finally, the achievement of 2% of GDP to defence. Another key area… Read more »
Corbyn
If Corbyn becomes Prime Minister within a few years the economy will be broken.. Any extra resources the Labour party would put in to the NHS and police and so on would all be lost within a parliament of 5 years ! Labour just don’t know how to run an economy, would lead to the usual cut’s having to be made post a Labour government.. Feeling a little disappointed with the Tories but i hope they stay in power.
“Most people are pretty well screwed now, under the tories.” – unemployment is falling, the economy’s growing – so how exactly are “most people” screwed HF? Unemployment seems to be falling as people take on non-jobs (zero hours contracts, or being ‘self employed’), living standards are falling for most people, public services are in crisis, the army is being used for police tasks to free police for anti-terror tasks after massive cuts in the police, inflation is rising, and the UK’s economy is stalling – Google ‘UK growth falling’, for a start. http://www.cityam.com/265762/its-official-uk-has-fallen-bottom-g7-growth “Growth figures published by Canada late last… Read more »
And yet, the world still wants to come here hmmm. Housing? I’m not surprised. Have you seen a map of the size of the UK and where are we putting 300,000 plus a year extra people in it? NHS, Schools, housing, all public services will improve with LESS people using them, not more. I did not have to wait 2 weeks to see a doctor when I was a child, no wonder as there were 20 tens of million less using them. Granted the ageing population going hand in hand with this does not help, which is probably why governments… Read more »
Is a communist.
David, I agree with you 100%. He will hand the Falklands to Argentina against the islanders wishes. Gibraltar will be handed over to the Spanish and he will hold talks with the Rep.of Ireland on reunification with Northern Island. We all know about his support for the IRA.
Typical leftie. 5th biggest economy in the world, giving away billions on oversees aid. We can afford plenty if money is spent properly and not given away and immigrants are not bleeding the nation dry. Yes they work and pay tax. They take too. So saying the taxpayer cannot afford is rubbish. Your problem is that you have a chip on your shoulder about the UK being anything other than a tin pot nation, with no diplomatic, political, and military influence on the world stage whatsoever. Just like Corbyn, McDonnald, and Abbot. No one is “trying to impress” anyone. Just… Read more »