The Self-Defense Forces conducted joint training with a carrier strike group centered on the state-of-the-art British aircraft carrier "Queen Elizabeth," which has been deployed for a long time in the Indo-Pacific region.


The training was attended by US and Dutch troops, showing multilateral cooperation with China in mind, which is strengthening the movement to advance into the ocean in this region.

The carrier strike group centered on "Queen Elizabeth" is also attended by US destroyers and Dutch frigate, and has been deployed for a long time in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific since May.



On the 24th, joint training with the Self-Defense Forces on land, sea, and air was conducted on the sea south of Okinawa, and the situation was disclosed to the press.



In the training, the British and American stealth fighters F35 mounted on the "Queen Elizabeth" departed one after another from the flight deck shaped like a ski jumping hill.

After that, helicopters and transport aircraft mounted on each ship were also trained called "cross deck" to land on ships of other countries, and the Maritime Self-Defense Force's escort ship "Ise" was replaced by British helicopters and the United States. I was able to confirm that the military Osprey had landed.



The United Kingdom has shown its stance of emphasizing the Indo-Pacific region in its new diplomatic and security policy announced in March, and is multilateral with China in mind, which is strengthening its marine expansion in the East China Sea and South China Sea. It is a form showing cooperation.



Maj. Gen. Yasuki Konno, commander of the 2nd Escort Group, who participated from the Self-Defense Forces, said, "I hope that it will lead to further strengthening of cooperation toward the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific."



"Queen Elizabeth" is scheduled to call at the Yokosuka base of the US Navy in Japan in September.

Self-Defense Forces Strengthening cooperation with the military such as European countries

Over the Indo-Pacific region, the Self-Defense Forces are strengthening ties with the United Kingdom and other military forces in Europe and elsewhere.

Joint training in May in France and Japan

France is one of the countries with overseas territories and increased involvement in the Indo-Pacific region, such as New Caledonia.



Three years ago, the Maritime Self-Defense Force and the French Navy signed a "strategic guideline" to strengthen cooperation not only in the Pacific region but also in the Indian Ocean.



The French Navy regularly dispatches ships to the Indo-Pacific region and conducted joint training with the Maritime Self-Defense Force and the United States Navy in December last year and February this year.



During the joint training in February, the Maritime Self-Defense Force's replenishment oiler refueled French ships for the first time based on the ACSA = Mutual Provision of Goods and Services Agreement.



Also, in May this year, the French Army conducted joint training with the Ground Self-Defense Force and the US Army at a training ground in Kyushu.



This is the first time the French Army and the Ground Self-Defense Force have trained in Japan.

Germany to joint training this fall

In addition, Germany announced guidelines for diplomacy and security in the Indo-Pacific region last year, and Minister of Defense Kishi and Minister of Defense of Germany are strongly "strong in attempts to unilaterally change the status quo against the background of power" with China in mind. I disagree with it. "



Germany will launch a frigate for the Indo-Pacific region in August, and the Maritime Self-Defense Force will conduct joint training this fall.



In addition, the frigate is supposed to call at a port in Japan.

Japan-US-Australia India "Quad" Controls China

In addition, as a movement against China in the Indo-Pacific region, the four-country framework "Quad", which includes Japan and the United States, Australia, and India, is increasing its presence.



For Australia and India, joint training is being conducted with their respective troops and the Self-Defense Forces, but in November last year, the United States was added to this, and joint maritime training was conducted in four countries.



It seems that the aim is to restrain China, and this training has been carried out in Guam and the surrounding waters since the 23rd of Japan time.