Japan-U.K.-U.S.-Australia-Spain-Norway Multilateral Exercise.

During 4 and 12 August, JS KAGA and JS TERUZUKI participated in the multi-lateral exercise with the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, the Royal Australian Navy, the Spanish Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy in the Western Pacific. This was the very first time for the JMSDF to conduct a multilateral exercise with all these participating countries as well as the British aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy.

While the international society is faced with the severe and complex security environment, the deployment of UK carrier strike group in this region showed our recognition that Europe and Atlantic’s security is inseparable from that of Indo-Pacific. At the same time, it contributed much to realizing the vision of “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” Through the exercise, the JMSDF improved its tactical capabilities as well as strengthened cooperation with participating navies and other military forces. The JMSDF will continue to strengthen cooperation not only with European navies and in the Indo-Pacific region, but anywhere in the world through bilateral and multi-lateral exercises.

The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, not only for the defense of Japan but also for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in cooperation with allied and like- minded navies.

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