A recent report by the Council on Geostrategy recommends that the UK increase its naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically within the First Island Chain, to contribute to ongoing deterrence efforts.
The report emphasises the importance of “pulsing” the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group in the region following its scheduled 2025 visit.
The UK must contribute to a coordinated global effort to counter the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) geopolitical ambitions in the First Island Chain, according to a new report by the Council on Geostrategy.
This strategic region, which includes Taiwan and the South China Sea, is increasingly becoming a hotspot for Chinese expansion, raising concerns for international stability and security. The report calls for renewed focus on the Indo-Pacific as part of the UK’s upcoming Strategic Defence Review, according to a press release.
The Council on Geostrategy’s analysis highlights the importance of the First Island Chain for global prosperity and the potential consequences if China gains control over these strategic waterways and islands. The report warns of potential Chinese efforts in the 2030s to impose an inspection zone or a blockade preventing goods and people from entering Taiwan, a move that would significantly challenge international norms and the UK’s strategic interests.
The paper, authored by Gray Sergeant, a Research Fellow in Indo-Pacific Geopolitics, suggests a range of measures for the UK to implement. These include challenging Chinese violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), maintaining a Royal Navy presence in the Indo-Pacific, and preparing for coordinated economic sanctions in response to any further expansionist actions by the PRC in the region.
It also proposes, as headlined above, making regular deployments of the Royal Navy-led Carrier Strike Group in the Indo-Pacific and reducing the UK’s reliance on critical goods from China.
Former Minister for the Indo-Pacific Anne Marie Trevelyan, in her foreword to the report, emphasised the role of military deterrence and the importance of UK leadership in shaping the rules and norms in the region. She noted, “The military positioning in place with allies is intended to support and bolster deterrence in the region, but importantly, if that is not effective, to respond to secure British interests.”
The UK CSG should visit the pacific less since it might be needed to deter Putin. And we don’t have many planes anyway. And someone just gave the halfway resupply base away (Chagos islands).
Except we have an unlimited 100 year lease with option to renew.
Let’s make sure we still have a carrier before we get excited. 🙄 Mind you, apparently France are looking to acquire a new carrier. How about nearly new, only one owner, hardly used.
They were going to buy the plans for 1 QE carrier and make their variant under the PA2 project but cancelled in 2013. They’re now planning to buy 1 carrier (PANG) that will cost more than 2 QE carriers.
They bought the plans and were adapting them inot the PA2, then it all got cancelled.
Yeah, that’s pretty much what I said.
PANG looks like a really good design…
Yes but the French want a carrier that doesn’t constantly need repairs and can launch Rafales. Our carriers can’t fulfill either criteria.
Applaud the sentiment of increased RN presence in the I-P, expressed w/in this summary of the Council on Geostrategy study/report, however would specifically recommend avoidance of CSG patrols in the SCS for an indefinite period. The RN simply requires more time to mature the capabilities of a CSG to confront and possibly contend w/ the PLAN. For example, would specifically await the following developments in the SSN realm: 1.) Delivery and commissioning of 7th Astute class sub, and resolution of SSN/SSBN maintenance infrastructure issues. 2.) Completion of Spearfish upgrade programme (may be nearing completion). 3.) Upgrade of the existing stock… Read more »