UK commits to deeper defence and security cooperation with Japan.

According to a press release published by the Government of the UK HMS Queen Elizabeth’s deployment to Indo Pacific later this year will enhance Japan and UK defence cooperation. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab discussed the deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth during the virtual meeting with their respective Japanese counterparts, Ministers Nobuo Kishi and Toshimitsu Motegi.
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HMS Queen Elizabeth. (Picture source: Wikipedia)

CSG21, led by UK aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, will herald a new era for UK-Japan defence and security cooperation, providing opportunities for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy and their respective Japanese counterparts to operate together and support opportunities for future collaboration, including on the F35 and Amphibious programmes.

The HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier began sea trials in June 2017, was commissioned on 7 December 2017 and is scheduled to enter service in 2020. It will be capable of carrying forty aircraft, a maximum of thirty-six F-35s and four helicopters. Defensive weapons include the Phalanx Close-In Weapons System for anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence, and 30mm Automated Small Calibre Guns and Miniguns for use against fast attack craft.

The aircraft carrier is the largest and most powerful vessel ever constructed for the Royal Navy. This awe-inspiring warship is capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft. The flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth comes in at an enormous four acres, and will be used to launch the fearsome new F35 Joint Strike Fighter fast jet. Four fighter jets can be moved from the hangar to the flight deck in just one minute.