UK Defence and the Indo-Pacific

Defence Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 31 Jan 2022 Closed: 24 Jan 2024 Parliament page
This inquiry will examine the UK’s tilt to the Indo-Pacific region, as set out in the Integrated Review. The region is widely recognised as being of growing importance. The inquiry will assess UK Defence’s standing in the region. The inquiry will also look at the UK’s potential routes to strengthening … Read more
11 Recommendations
2 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
3 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
11 Jan
2024
Report published
24 Oct
2023
Report published
17 Jan
2023
Oral evidence
17 Jan
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
6 Sep
2022
Oral evidence
6 Sep
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
7 Jun
2022
Oral evidence
7 Jun
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
17 Jan 2023
View on parliament.uk
Brigadier (ret.) Ben Barry · International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) John Hemmings · Pacific Forum Seth Jones · Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Veerle Nouwens · Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
6 Sep 2022
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Dr Marcus Hellyer · Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) Dr Rob Yates · University of Bristol Mr Ben Bland · Chatham House (Asia-Pacific Programme) Professor Rory Medcalf · The Australian National University
7 Jun 2022
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Meia Nouwens · International Institute for Strategic Studies Professor Alessio Patalano · Kings College London, Department of War Studies Professor Steve Tsang · SOAS China Institute
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Eleventh Report - UK Defence and the Indo-Pacific HC 183 24 Oct 2023 13 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
Clear
1 Recommendation Accepted
Eleventh Report - UK Defence and t…
Set out classified plans for UK response to potential China-Taiwan conflict
The Chinese Government’s wider goal to achieve regional and global dominance— and the increasingly aggressive means by which it is pursuing this—highlight the long-term and strategic threat that China poses to the rules-based international order. It appears that China intends … Read more
Government Response
The government confirms it already conducts crisis planning for a wide range of global scenarios and commits to providing the Committee with a private briefing on Defence's crisis planning process.
Ministry of Defence
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6 Recommendation Accepted
Eleventh Report - UK Defence and t…
Plan joint exercises with Japanese armed forces and continue science and technology collaboration
We welcome the Government’s practical efforts in strengthening ties with Japan. Japan is an invaluable ally in the region given its geo-strategic location. As Japan enhances its own defence posture, the UK should build on these valuable commitments to continue … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to fulfilling the Hiroshima Accord and implementing an ambitious programme of larger, more frequent joint exercises with Japan through the Reciprocal Access Agreement. They also highlight progress on an asset protection mechanism and thriving science and technology collaboration, including the Global Combat Air Programme.
Ministry of Defence
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7 Recommendation Accepted
Eleventh Report - UK Defence and t…
Focus on maximizing military benefit from combined UK-India carrier strike group training
We recommend that the Government focus on achieving a higher level of military benefit for both the Indian and UK armed forces from combined training carried out when the Royal Navy’s carrier strike group returns to the Indian Ocean as … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation and commits to the return of the UK Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific in 2025, with planning underway to conduct more complex exercises with India to achieve higher military benefit.
Ministry of Defence
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8 Recommendation Accepted
Eleventh Report - UK Defence and t…
Establish UK as a top-tier defence partner to India through strategic industrial partnerships
We welcome the recent actions taken to enhance UK–India defence cooperation through the 2030 UK-India Roadmap. This relationship is critical not only because of the breadth and depth of our existing and potential cooperation, but also due to India’s unique … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendations and has established Defence Partnership-India (DP-I) to facilitate greater government-to-government coordination and create strategic industrial partnerships, including supporting India in reducing reliance on Russian equipment. They also commit to improving interoperability and the return of the UK Carrier Strike Group in 2025.
Ministry of Defence
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9 Recommendation Accepted
Eleventh Report - UK Defence and t…
Further engagement with ASEAN on maritime security and deepen bilateral relationships through exercises
The UK must rekindle its statecraft skills and reaffirm its commitment as a reliable partner to countries in South-East Asia and the Pacific, in order to uphold the international rules-based order, given its proximity to China and the political diversity … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, agreeing to deepen relationships and defence engagement with ASEAN and Pacific Islands. Specific actions include formally applying to ADMM+, pursuing ship-rider agreements with Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, renewing a naval MOU with the US Coastguard, and conducting various training initiatives with Brunei Garrison.
Ministry of Defence
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10 Recommendation Accepted
Eleventh Report - UK Defence and t…
Strengthen relationship with the Quad through functional engagement in working groups and forums
It is imperative that the UK strengthens its partnerships with regional allies to maintain and deliver a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. AUKUS, ASEAN and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the Quad) serve different, but valuable, purposes in … Read more
Government Response
The government supports the committee's recommendation not to seek Quad membership in the short term, agreeing to instead strengthen its relationship through bilateral and multilateral functional engagement with individual Quad members and by exploring options for "Quad Plus" engagement groups.
Ministry of Defence
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11 Conclusion Accepted
Eleventh Report - UK Defence and t…
Five Power Defence Arrangements offer UK opportunities to lead engagement with non-aligned Indo-Pacific nations
Long-standing membership of the Five Power Defence Arrangements offers opportunities for the UK to lead the defence conversation, alongside Australia, in engaging with smaller non-aligned nations in the Indo-Pacific, whilst noting the strategic sensitivities for some of those nations. (Paragraph … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines its existing strong commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements, highlighting current efforts where the UK is already taking a leading role in shaping regional security, such as encouraging defensive cyber and incorporating non-military challenges into planning.
Ministry of Defence
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Government Response AI assessment · 13 of 11 classified
Accepted 7
Accepted in Part 3
Rejected 3
Total 11 recs + 2 conclusions