Page 81 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

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SITREP FROM THE EAST Maj Kenji Ara, Deputy Defence Attaché, British Embassy Tokyo
US Marine Corps show a UK/AUS/FRA military attachés
around their training facility in the shadow of Mt Fuji
“The next major conflict will happen in Asia” claim politicians, academics and Generals around the world. This is exactly why we have an array of Defence Sections working in British embassies across Asia, understanding the security situation and building bonds with our partners who we could be fighting alongside at the next roll of the dice.
Defence Section Tokyo fits into this picture, finding military opportunities and supporting activity with Japan, “our closest security partner in Asia” (Defence Command Plan, 2021). We also work closely with US Forces Japan, who have a sharp operational focus on Taiwan and its surrounding seas (the US forward base is a 54,000 strong force that
is 40% the size of the whole British Armed Forces here).
The highlight of this year has been bringing HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and the Carrier Strike Group to the Far East, including exercise opportunities with the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (who have the
strongest UK-JPN link of the three services) and US Navy. In the land domain, we are the only country to conduct regular exercises
in Japan (Ex VIGILANT ISLES) other than the US, and our armies have a rapidly growing relationship. As both air forces now fly F-35s we have been working together in this area and also have been supporting scoping
the possibility of Japanese collaboration on Future Combat Air System (the RAF’s next gen fighter), a potentially multi-billion pound project. We have also pushed projects in
a breadth of other areas such as military intelligence, military cyber and multi domain integration.
Once international travel opens up, I hope to see more Riflemen coming this way, so you might find yourself coming East as a part of the UK’s Indo-Pacific Tilt strategy. Start scrubbing up on Japan - perhaps a good place to begin is a cold bottle of Asahi beer and a plate of katsu curry whilst the Olympics are on.
The Amphibious Task Force Commander
lets a land lubber take over the battle
The Landing Craft that I release is
off in the direction of the enemy
You might find yourself coming East as a part of the UK’s Indo- Pacific Tilt strategy
Assault Amphibious Vehicles
follow on to the target
RIFLES The Bugle 81