The Royal Navy’s HMS Spey has taken part in a joint operation with Japanese naval forces aimed at enforcing United Nations Security Council Resolutions on North Korea, as the UK continues to demonstrate its commitment to upholding international law in the Indo-Pacific, according to a Royal Navy news update.
Operating in the Sea of Japan, HMS Spey worked alongside the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force to monitor maritime activity suspected of breaching sanctions imposed on the Pyongyang regime. The resolutions target North Korea’s illicit revenue generation and weapons proliferation, and at sea they are enforced through surveillance and interdiction of suspect shipping.
During the patrol, Spey focused on identifying vessels of interest potentially connected to sanction-evading activities, with data passed to United Nations Command. The Royal Navy said this forms part of an ongoing effort to support regional security and uphold the rules-based international order.
Following the patrol, HMS Spey visited Sasebo Naval Base in southwestern Japan. While alongside, the crew hosted a senior delegation including Group Captain Andrew Johnson, Director of United Nations Command – Rear, Rear Admiral Yasutaka Ebata of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force, and Captain Mike Fontaine, Commanding Officer of Fleet Activities Sasebo from the US Navy.
The Royal Navy described the engagement as an opportunity to deepen ties with Japanese and American counterparts. Discussions focused on how to enhance operational cooperation and build interoperability between forces in response to shared security challenges.
The visit also included a football match between Spey’s crew and sailors from JMSDF Escort Flotilla 2, which the Japanese team won 4-3, as well as time ashore in Sasebo and Nagasaki for cultural exchange.
In addition to its work on sanctions enforcement, HMS Spey deployed personnel from 148 Battery ashore for Exercise Bersama Shield 2025. This marks a continuation of the patrol ship’s wide-ranging activities during her long-term Indo-Pacific deployment, which has included joint exercises, disaster relief and maritime training missions across the region.
Commander Paul Caddy, HMS Spey’s Commanding Officer, said the ship’s support to United Nations Command had been a privilege and credited regional partners including the US Navy and JMSDF for enabling Royal Navy operations in the area.
“British Navel vessel puts pressure on North Korea”
“Freddie Star ate my Hamster”
“Statue of Elvis found on the Moon”
“There are no virgins in Essex”
It seems the Daily papers style of creative headlines is alive and well in Scotland !!!
shaking in their boots!
One patrol vessel small one at that not even a corvette
Honestly, so many commentators on here make me laugh (unintentionally).
On the one hand any activity by the RN abroad is pointless, non effective, doesn’t scare anyone, what a pointless flag showing exercise, where are all the missile, why don’t we have more ships… Etc. etc.
But if a North Korean ship showed up here in the channel those same people will be screaming for us to sink/escort (in equal numbers) it because of the “threat”.
So on the one hand anything we have is weak, toothless, not fit for purpose whilst at the same time every other navies ships are deadly threats to everything we hold dear.
And yes I posted this before most of said comments have actually turned up
Spey doing the business.
Ya really think the little fat man is even aware of this?