BLUF
After leaving the EU, the UK intends to increase its defence spending and among other things, focus on the Indo-Pacific Region.
Summary
The UK plans to have more of a presence in the Indo-Pacific region by developing stronger relationships with regional powers, including Australia and Japan. There is also the potential for UK bases in Asia and more permanent deployments of warships and marines. This is possible thanks to a large increase in defence spending (at the expense of the aid budget). Much of this extra money will be used to replace nuclear submarines; develop new cyber force and space commands; and conduct direct energy weapons research. According to the ASPI, the UK aims to be the prime naval power in Europe. Increased British activity in the Indo-Pacific region should be good for Australia by helping to maintain the freedom of movement across the world's oceans. What can Australia do to encourage the UK to become more involved in the Indo-Pacific region?
References
- 27 Aug 2020, The Runway, The Future of the UK Carrier Strike Group
- 19 NOV 2020 REUTERS Post-Brexit UK announces largest military spending since Cold War
- 22 NOV 2020 The Guardian UK Should tilt foreign policy to Indo-Pacific region, report says.
- 26 NOV 2020 Cuts to UK foreign aid budget are shortsighted and could damage British interests
- 27 November 2020, Chatham House, China and Brexit drive the UK’s Tilt to the Indo-Pacific