Asia Press Agency

Tag: Grant Shapps

  • UK: Aircraft Carrier and Response Group Set for India

    UK: Aircraft Carrier and Response Group Set for India

    In a major development aimed at fortifying bilateral defence ties, British Defence Minister Grant Shapps revealed plans to deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Indian Ocean Region in 2025. This announcement came during the visit of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to the United Kingdom, marking a historic moment as it is the first visit by an Indian defence minister to the UK in two decades.

     

    The strategic move reflects the commitment of both nations to strengthen their defence cooperation, particularly in the context of evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Shapps also disclosed that a high-readiness littoral response group is set to be dispatched to the Indian Ocean Region a year earlier, in 2024.

     

    In a joint statement, the defence ministers of India and the UK emphasized the shared security challenges faced by both nations and their dedication to upholding a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Shapps highlighted the increasing global contestation and stressed the importance of building on strategic relationships with key partners like India.

     

    “Collaboration with industry is also key in the strategic defence partnership between the UK and India,” Shapps stated, underlining the joint efforts on electric propulsion systems for future fleets and cooperation on the development of advanced weaponry.

     

    During their discussions, the two sides agreed to elevate their defence partnership by engaging in more complex military exercises. The move reflects a mutual recognition of the evolving nature of security threats and the necessity to enhance interoperability between the armed forces of India and the UK.

     

    Furthermore, New Delhi and London expressed their commitment to expanding instructor exchanges between office training colleges and specialist schools. This initiative aims to foster a deeper understanding of each other’s military doctrines and operational practices. Additionally, the two nations are working towards signing an agreement on logistics exchange, facilitating joint training, port visits, and humanitarian assistance operations.

     

    Research and development (R&D) emerged as a key focus area in the discussions, with both countries expressing a desire to collaborate on the development of next-generation capabilities. This signifies a forward-looking approach, acknowledging the importance of technological advancements in modern warfare and security.

     

    As part of the broader strategy to institutionalize and streamline defence collaboration, India and the UK jointly announced the launch of Defence Partnership-India. Described as a “bespoke” office, it will serve as a dedicated platform to facilitate and promote defence cooperation between the two nations. This office is expected to play a crucial role in coordinating joint initiatives, information sharing, and strategic planning.

     

    The culmination of these agreements and announcements underscores the commitment of India and the UK to deepen their defence ties. The joint efforts encompass a spectrum of activities, ranging from military deployments and exercises to collaborative research and development. The strategic significance of these developments is heightened by the geopolitical context of an increasingly contested world and the shared commitment to ensuring a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

     

    As the plans unfold and collaborative initiatives involving carrier materialize, the evolving India-UK defence partnership will likely contribute to regional and global security dynamics, fostering stability and cooperation in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region. The deployment of the aircraft carrier strike group and the littoral response group serves as tangible evidence of the tangible steps both nations are taking to enhance their capabilities and address common security challenges.

  • UK PM Rishi Sunak Clarifies Deployment of British Soldiers

    UK PM Rishi Sunak Clarifies Deployment of British Soldiers

    The United Kingdom’s top government officials are in disagreement over the potential deployment of British soldiers to Ukraine to support the ongoing conflict with Russia. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps recently stated in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph that discussions were underway with the British army about bringing training closer to Ukraine and potentially into the country. However, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak swiftly moved to clarify the situation, stating that there would be no immediate deployment of British soldiers to fight in the current conflict. Sunak made it clear that Shapps’ comments were not intended for the “here and now” but were a consideration for the long term.

     

    The remarks of Sunak were aimed at dispelling speculation about the imminent involvement of British troops in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. He emphasized that there were no plans to send British soldiers to fight in the current war.

     

    The proposal put forth by Shapps faced criticism from Russian politicians, with former President Dmitry Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, expressing strong opposition. Medvedev accused Shapps of pushing toward a potential “Third World War” and warned that British instructors could become legal targets for Russian armed forces.

     

    Medvedev’s rhetoric has been characterized as hawkish, and he has consistently issued stern warnings and statements since the beginning of the conflict. His remarks often combine Latin mottos, legal expressions, and strong language, seemingly aimed at gaining favor with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

     

    Yan Gagin, an advisor to the head of the Russian-occupied part of eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, dismissed Shapps’ proposal but did not issue the same fiery warnings as Medvedev. Gagin suggested that even if British instructors conducted training for Ukraine’s armed forces within the country, it would not yield significant results based on Ukraine’s recent counter-offensive performance.

     

    Since the conflict’s onset more than 19 months ago, over 23,500 Ukrainian recruits have received combat training at UK army bases, covering skills such as weapons handling and battlefield first aid. Britain has committed to training an additional 20,000 recruits this year as part of its support for Ukraine, which includes a pledge of £2.3 billion (USD 2.8 billion) for anti-tank weapons, rocket systems, and other hardware.

     

    Shapps, who assumed the role of defense secretary in August, also mentioned discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about potential assistance from the UK’s Royal Navy in defending commercial vessels in the Black Sea. However, specific details were not provided.

     

    Furthermore, Shapps encouraged UK defense companies to consider establishing production facilities in Ukraine, particularly in the western region of the country. He cited BAE, a leading British defense and aerospace manufacturer, as an example of a company moving into manufacturing in Ukraine and expressed the desire to see other British firms follow suit.

     

    The UK government remains committed to supporting Ukraine but has clarified that there will be no immediate deployment of British soldiers to fight against Russia in the current conflict. Discussions about training and assistance are focused on long-term strategies rather than immediate involvement in the war.