British and Japanese armies unite forces for first time in exercise.

In November 2023, the British Army made a historic step by integrating its troops for the first time with the Japanese armed forces during the Vigilant Isles exercise at Somagahara Camp, Japan. This event marks a significant milestone in military cooperation between the United Kingdom and Japan, as reported by the British MoD on November 27, 2023.
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A Gurkha from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles, shows the British SA80 A3 rifle to soldiers from 1st Airborne Brigade during Ex VI23 (Picture source: UK MoD)

Over 170 British Army soldiers participated in this major exercise, which has been held annually for several years, except during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year was notable as it was the first time British and Japanese troops were fully integrated during the exercise, in contrast to previous years when they trained separately on the island of Honshu.

Exercise Vigilant Isles 23 (Ex VI23) was characterized by several firsts: joint live fire training conducted by the British Army and Japanese forces, and the deployment of a British Army drone to direct mortar fire. The largest British unit participating in the exercise was the B (Sari Bair) Company of the 1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR), based in Brunei, with 130 soldiers.

The British contingent also included soldiers from the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Group of the 16th Air Assault Brigade and the 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (3SCOTS), operating as part of the 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade. Troops from the 21st Air Assault Battery, 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery deployed a Puma unmanned aerial system (UAS), working with a 1RGR mortar platoon.

A Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) from the 7th Para Royal Horse Artillery operated in Misawa in the north, directing close air support from F-2 jets of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The 226th Signal Squadron, 14th Signal Regiment, also participated, using electronic warfare equipment to locate 'enemy' patrols.

Ex VI23, led by the 3rd Infantry Battalion of the Japanese 1st Airborne Brigade, comprised two main phases: functional training and comprehensive training. During the functional training phase, soldiers from 3 SCOTS embedded with a reconnaissance platoon of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, using a Parrot UAS to locate hostile forces. The comprehensive phase, which took place at Ojoji, involved Japanese and British assault forces performing a bilateral attack.

Lieutenant Colonel Hugo Stanford-Tuck, Commanding Officer of 1RGR, emphasized the importance of this exercise as a demonstration of the strength of the partnership between the UK and Japan. Lieutenant Colonel Daisuke Ishikawa, of the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Japanese 1st Airborne Brigade, also expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration.

This exercise reflects the growing strategic importance of Japan to the UK, especially since the signing of the Hiroshima Accord in May 2023.