Japanese warship salutes HMS Tyne with British flag display

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) recently conducted a bilateral exercise with the Royal Navy, enhancing cooperation and improving tactical capabilities between the two nations, according to a statement from JMSDF.

The exercise involved the Japanese training vessels JS Kashima and JS Shimakaze alongside British ship HMS Tyne.

The drills are part of the Overseas Training Cruise, a longstanding JMSDF initiative aimed at promoting international cooperation and honing operational skills.

These exercises underscore Japan’s commitment to maintaining a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” a policy aimed at ensuring security and stability in the region. The JMSDF and Royal Navy have a history of collaboration, and these exercises continue to foster strong relations between the two navies.

Following the exercise, JS Kashima and JS Shimakaze are set to continue their journey, with their next scheduled stop being Norfolk, USA.

The Overseas Training Cruise unit #JSKASHIMA and #JSSHIMAKAZE🇯🇵 conducted a Bilateral exercise with @RoyalNavy @hms_tyne🇬🇧. #JMSDF improve its tactical capabilities and strengthen cooperation with the Royal Navy.#FreeAndOpenIndoPacific

Next, to Norfolk🇺🇸⚓ pic.twitter.com/8KOP3XJpPI

— 防衛省 海上自衛隊 (@JMSDF_PAO) September 11, 2024

HMS Tyne is a River-class offshore patrol vessel built by Vosper Thornycroft in Southampton for the Royal Navy. Commissioned in 2003, alongside her sister ships Mersey and Severn, Tyne was designed primarily for fishery protection duties in UK waters. She represents the sixth Royal Navy vessel to carry the name and has been featured in media such as the BBC series Empire of the Seas. As the first of her class, Tyne was launched in 2002 and began operational patrols in early 2003.

Initially chartered by the Royal Navy, Tyne and her sister ships were the first privately funded vessels to be leased to the Navy. The Ministry of Defence eventually purchased them in 2012, extending their service lives by 11 years. In addition to her fishery protection role, Tyne has undertaken various other missions, such as escorting Russian warships through the English Channel. Her versatility in protecting UK waters has been a constant feature of her service history.

In 2018, following delays in the arrival of her planned replacement, HMS Forth, Tyne avoided decommissioning and continued active service. Despite discussions about forward-basing the ship, Tyne remained stationed in Portsmouth and, in 2021, participated in providing security for the G7 summit off the Cornish coast. She is expected to remain in service until around 2028.