定裝照：伊麗莎白女王號 英航艦訪亞洲 將與十多國軍演

伊麗莎白女王號 英航艦訪亞洲 將與十多國軍演    聯合 20240427

英國駐日本大使館廿六日表示，英國航空母艦伊麗莎白女王號五月將執行首次作戰部署，率皇家海軍艦艇組成的艦隊航行亞洲海域及造訪日本和南韓，並另與十多國聯合軍演。

路透報導，日本日益擔憂中國對台灣構成的威脅，區域情勢陷入緊張之際，伊麗莎白女王號這趟亞洲行備受矚目，目的是為了加強與東亞地區國家的安全關係。

日本首相菅義偉與美國總統拜登本月舉行兩人就任後的首次峰會，並於會後針對中國日益專斷及台海和平穩定重要性發表聯合聲明。

配備十八架F-35B匿蹤戰機的伊麗莎白女王號，將率領驅逐艦、巡防艦與補給艦各兩艘的航艦打擊群，由引發主權爭議的南海航行至東亞，此行也將造訪印度與新加坡。

不過英國「每日電訊報」日前曾報導，伊麗莎白女王號航空母艦打擊群五月行經南海駛向日本時，不會經過台灣海峽，而是航經台灣東方，以免激怒中國大陸。

英國政府是在今年元月四日宣布，英國海軍卅八年來建立的第一個航艦打擊群已具備初期作戰能力。這意謂六萬五千噸的伊麗莎白女王號與艦載機，以及護航的驅逐艦、巡防艦、潛艦與補給艦，都可在接獲命令五天內備妥部署。

英國政府發布的新聞稿，伊麗莎白女王號將與美國的艦艇及一艘荷蘭的巡防艦，共同和日本、澳洲、加拿大、紐西蘭、法國、阿拉伯聯合大公國、丹麥、希臘、義大利、土耳其、以色列、印度、阿曼與南韓部隊進行聯合軍事演習。

而目前在亞洲海域的外國軍艦還有一艘法國兩棲突擊艦和兩艘美國海軍的航空母艦，其中一艘是駐地在日本的雷根號。日本是美國的緊密盟友，駐有美軍在海外規模最大軍力，包括戰艦、戰機與數以千計的陸戰隊官士兵。

英國與日本致力於加強軍事關係，先前英國也曾出動戰艦、戰機和部隊與日方聯合軍演，但伊麗莎白女王號航艦此行是英軍迄今最受注目的訪日行程。

 

UK Carrier Strike Group will sail to Japan on its maiden deployment    British Embassy to Japan  20240427

The UK’s Carrier Strike Group 2021 (CSG21), led by HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, will visit Japan on its maiden operational deployment later this year.

The CSG21 deployment will take place over 28 weeks, from May to December 2021, and will see the Strike Group travel over 26,000 nautical miles of ocean including passage through the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.  As well as Japan, CSG21 will visit three other key partners: Singapore, the Republic of Korea and India.

In an era of systemic competition and changing threats, CSG21 will bolster the UK’s ability to deliver its defence, foreign policy and trade objectives alongside key allies.  Its deployment to the Indo-Pacific will enhance the enduring defence relationships it holds there as the UK looks to pursue deeper engagement in the region in support of shared prosperity and regional stability, with stronger diplomatic and trading ties.

The UK recognises the importance of the region globally, supports the freedom of passage through vital trading routes and is committed to a recognised international system of norms and behaviours that benefit all countries.

The CSG21 visit to Japan and bilateral and multilateral military exercises also represent the UK’s increased cooperation with Japan and a deepening of the two countries’ relationship.

Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace MP said:

The Carrier Strike Group’s engagement with Japan will enhance the already deep defence partnership between our two countries.

The deployment is a symbol of ‘Global Britain’ in action and demonstrates our commitment to Japan, the Indo-Pacific region, and confronting threats to international order”.

The Strike Group will also comprise Type 45 destroyers HMS DEFENDER and HMS DIAMOND, Type 23 anti-submarine frigates HMS KENT and HMS RICHMOND, and tanker and storage ships FORT VICTORIA and RFA TIDESPRING.

On the flight deck there will be eighteen F-35B Lightning II fast jets (eight from the UK Lightning Force and ten from US Marine Crops), four Wildcat maritime attack helicopters, seven Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine and airborne early warning helicopters, and three Merlin Mk4 commando helicopters.

CSG21 will be joined by vessels from the United States and a frigate from the Netherlands.  As well as exercises involving Japan’s Self Defence Forces during its deployment, CSG21 will operate with air and maritime forces from a wide number of international partners including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, UAE, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Israel, India, Oman, and the Republic of Korea.

British Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom said:

The visit of CSG21 to Japan will be significant moment for both nations and shows just how important the relationship with Japan is to the UK.

The Government made clear in its Integrated Review that Japan is one of our closest strategic partners, including on security. We are committed to deepening this partnership, and to working even more closely through new trade agreements, deeper partnership in science, technology and data, and on tackling global challenges like climate change. The visit will also be an opportunity to advance our partnership in these areas.

The UK will continue to work in closely with Japan to ensure all engagements will be delivered safely and all entry requirements are adhered to. Personal safety is paramount both for those immediately involved in the CSG21 operations and wider populations.

In preparing for the deployment several protective measures are planned including social distancing as much as possible, ‘bubbling’ and isolating, enhanced sanitisation, personal protective equipment and testing.  All personnel deploying on CSG21 will have been offered vaccination against COVID-19.

For press enquiries: Ministry of Defence