How sustainable is Global Britain’s presence in Asia?
The Royal Navy is operating two OPVs in the Indo-Pacific, and they have just passed the first year of their deployment. (Photo: RN)
The UK is talking the talk when it comes to the Indo-Pacific region, but will its military be able to walk the walk in the longer term?
The Royal Navy on 7 September marked the first anniversary of its deployment of two OPVs to the Indo-Pacific region. This milestone provides an opportune moment to assess how successful the UK military’s ‘return’ to the area has been.
HMS Tamar and HMS Spey cumulatively travelled a staggering 80,353nmi across the world’s oceans since they departed the UK and have visited more than 20 ports.
Kudos is due to the RN for sustaining this deployment of these two River-class vessels, and for what they have achieved. For example, Spey delivered aid to Tonga following a tsunami earlier this year,
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