Portrait provided by: Maritime Self-Defense Force Self-Defense Force
On Monday, August 25th, 2025, Marine Self-Defense Force’s Self-Defense Force’s Commander, Omachi Katsushi, received a courtesy call from the Navy Major General Robert George Pedre, commander of the Royal Navy’s Strike Force.
The Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces position the UK as a friendly country with geographical and historical connections in the Indo-Pacific region and sharing basic values and strategic interests with Japan. From Monday, August 4th to Tuesday, August 12th, 2025, the British Aircraft Carrier Strike Force was conducting joint training with the Maritime Self-Defense Force, with Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier Prince of Wales (R09) affiliated with the Strike Force, and the Maritime Self-Defense Force escorts Kaga (DDH-184) and Teruzuki (DD-116) among others. Currently, the carrier strike force is on port call in Japan.
At the discussion held at the Maritime Operations Center, opinions were exchanged on the results of the joint training that was previously implemented, and awareness of the uncertain and complexity of the international community was shared. Under the recognition that security in the European and Atlantic regions and the Indo-Pacific region are inseparable, Japan and the UK have confirmed that it will further promote defense cooperation and work closely together to improve interoperability and deepen relations between the two countries.
Information released by: Maritime Self-Defense Force Self-Defense Force Fleet – About the British Strike Force Commander’s visit to the Maritime Operations Center
[Related genres]Ships: R09 Prince of Wales Shipping operator: Maritime Self-Defense Force Shipping operator: British Navy
