UK Indo-Pacific tilt risks obscuring importance of Middle East
RN Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll, Sandown-class minehunter HMS Shoreham and the USN mine countermeasures ship USS Dextrous, pictured in March 2020 during the bilateral Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2020 in the Arabian Gulf. (Photo: US Army/Pfc Christopher Ca
The special naval relationship between the UK and US could be jeopardised if the former focuses too much on the Indo-Pacific region by drawing resources away from the strategically important Arabian Gulf.
The UK government recently published its Integrated Review (IR) setting out a vision for the next ten years of national defence and security strategy. The paper was marked by its focus on UK commitments to both NATO and a wider ‘tilt’ towards the Indo-Pacific region.
However, there was little in the IR about the UK commitment to the strategically important Arabian Gulf and in particular the RN presence in Bahrain. In recent years, the facilities in Bahrain have become the largest overseas facility for the RN, comprising four mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs), a permanently based Type 23 frigate and
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Defence Notes
-
![Trump enters the White House promising into bring the US military to a “golden age”]()
Trump enters the White House promising into bring the US military to a “golden age”
The returning US president also reiterated a commitment to supply the services with “made-in-America” capabilities and to end conflicts worldwide.
-
![Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force]()
Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force
It has been more than six weeks since the Irish general election. After long negotiations, a coalition of two of the three largest parties and independents has resulted in a Programme for Government (PfG) which will form the basis of a government almost guaranteed to be formed on 22 January.
-
![Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent]()
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
-
![UK begins process on new industrial strategy]()
UK begins process on new industrial strategy
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
