Britain will send an aircraft carrier to Asia in 2021, amid growing diplomatic tensions with China over hotspot issues. It’s part of the UK’s new military plan, which also includes the creation of space and cyber defense forces.
According to a Wall Street Journal report today, Britain is pressuring China to deploy an aircraft carrier in Asia.
In an online address to Parliament on Thursday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “Next year, HMS Queen Elizabeth will lead a task force of British and allied nations on our most ambitious deployment in 20 years, including the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean and East Asia.” According to the report, other British officials have also raised the possibility of sending aircraft carriers to the Asia-Pacific region, though this is the first time Johnson has commented explicitly on the idea. The move may be intended to send a message to China, which has strained diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom.
Johnson did not give further details about the deployment. But the British newspaper The Times reported in July that military generals had developed a plan to deploy the Queen Elizabeth in the Far East. The carrier could participate in joint exercises with U.S. and Japanese forces, as well as freedom of navigation operations aimed at challenging maritime claims deemed excessive.
In addition to the carrier deployment, Johnson announced Thursday the creation of a National Cyber Force and Space Command to address new threats to national security. The National Cyber Force has recruited personnel from MI6 and the government’s communications headquarters to protect the British people and businesses from cyber attacks and to target hostile acts such as terrorist groups.
According to Johnson, the U.K. will launch a satellite and the first rocket in Scotland in 2022. Johnson said London plans to increase its defense spending by 16.5 billion pounds ($21.9 billion) over the next four years compared to its previous commitments. That brings Britain’s total four-year defense budget to 190 billion pounds, “more than any other European country and more than any NATO ally except the United States,” he said.
During the Trump presidency, Washington has pressured NATO members to increase their defense spending, according to the Wall Street Journal. The U.S. is expected to continue to do so after President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. The British press has reported that Johnson’s plan is primarily aimed at reaffirming Britain’s status and commitment to its alliance with the United States. The United Kingdom also sees increased defense spending as a way to stimulate its coronavirus-battered economy. The UK estimates that strengthening the defense industry could create 10,000 new jobs per year.
Recent Comments