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Japanese carrier drills with British warship heading to contested South China Sea

By Tim Kelly

 

British frigate HMS Argyle (front), Japanese helicopter carrier Kaga (C) and Japanese destroyer Inazuma take part in a joint naval drill in the Indian Ocean, September 26, 2018. Picture taken on September 26, 2018. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

 

ABOARD THE KAGA, Indian Ocean (Reuters) - Japan's biggest warship, the Kaga helicopter carrier, joined naval drills with Britain's HMS Argyll in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday as the frigate headed toward the contested South China Sea and East Asia.

 

Britain, Japan and their close ally the United States have found common cause in countering growing Chinese influence in the region that they worry could put key commercial sea lanes linking Asia with Europe, the United States and elsewhere under Beijing's sway.

 

"We have traditional ties with the British navy and we are both close U.S. allies and these drills are an opportunity for us to strengthen cooperation," Kenji Sakaguchi, the Maritime Self Defence Force (MSDF) commander of the Kaga group's four helicopters said on the hangar deck.

 

The more frequent presence of the Royal Navy in a region is a chance for the two navies to train more closely in the future, he added.

The Argyll, Kaga and its destroyer escort the Inazuma practiced formations on calm seas in the Indian Ocean close to commercial sea lanes plied by container vessels and oil tankers. Three helicopters from the Japanese carrier hovered above, monitoring the drill.

 

The Argyll's arrival in the region comes after Britain's amphibious assault ship HMS Albion, last month challenged Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea on its way to Vietnam from Japan by sailing close to Chinese bases in the Paracel islands in a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP).

 

China dispatched a warship and helicopters to counter the British presence and warned London that similar actions in the future could endanger talks for a possible trade deal that Britain is seeking as it prepares to leave the European Union.

    

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China, which says its intentions are peaceful, claims most of the South China, through which some $3 trillion of seaborne trade passes every year. Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei also claim parts of the sea, which has oil and gas deposits as well as rich fishing grounds.

 

Japan, which is embroiled in separate territorial dispute with China in the neighbouring East China Sea, has yet to conduct a FONOP in the south China Sea.

 

However, in a rare public announcement this month, Japan's Ministry of Defence said one of its submarines had carried out a naval exercise in the disputed waterway with two Japanese destroyers and the Kaga, which is on a two-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific.  

 

After crossing the South China Sea, the Argyll will operate in waters around Japan, including a stint monitoring sanctions imposed on North Korea by the United Nations to force it to abandon nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, said a British government source, who asked not to be identified because he is not authorised to talk to the media.

 

 

The Argyll is the third Royal Navy ship in Asia's waters this year following the tour of the Albion and another frigate.

 

"Normally we hold discussion with other countries before joint drills, but with the British there is no need to, so they are easy to work with," said Tatsuhiko Mizuno, an operation planning officer for the Kaga group.

 

(Reporting by Tim Kelly. Editing by)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-09-27

[asiamaster]

I suggest the Russians and the Chinese to hold some drills in the North Sea

[sukhumvitneon]

Toddlers attempting to sit at the adult dinner table.

[wwest5829]

42 minutes ago, asiamaster said:

I suggest the Russians and the Chinese to hold some drills in the North Sea

As long as it is in international waters, they are certainly welcome to do so.

[Juan B Tong]

Dear China,

[TPI]

The British navy go back more than a hundred years co-operating with the Japanese (WWII) notwithstanding! 

[Odysseus123]

The Kaga hey..?

 

The last time she sank a British warship was in 1942 when she did in HMS Hermes.

 

No wonder that they have close ties..

[SOTIRIOS]

...what a disgrace...

 

...Japan...another battered housewife of the international community...

 

...doing the bidding of an abusive husband....

Edited September 27, 2018 by SOTIRIOS
change 'the' to a more general 'an'...(it reads more accurately)...

[impulse]

10 minutes ago, SOTIRIOS said:

...what a disgrace...

 

...Japan...another battered housewife of the international community...

 

...doing the bidding of the abusive husband....

 

Personally, I'm pleased to see other nations picking up their share of the cost of defending THEIR sea lane rights instead of forcing the USA to foot the entire bill for protecting the sea lanes where we have no territorial ambitions. 

 

I'd actually rather they spend our US tax money on free health care and other benefits those freeloader nations give to their citizens.

[Jonah Tenner]

4 hours ago, asiamaster said:

I suggest the Russians and the Chinese to hold some drills in the North Sea

Russians do that as a matter of routine.

[Odysseus123]

32 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Personally, I'm pleased to see other nations picking up their share of the cost of defending THEIR sea lane rights instead of forcing the USA to foot the entire bill for protecting the sea lanes where we have no territorial ambitions. 

 

I'd actually rather they spend our US tax money on free health care and other benefits those freeloader nations give to their citizens.

No-one is forcing the USA to do anything.

 

Actually if you were to take up a collection "Orphans of Caluthumpia" or something that assisted the US to get off it's 800 overseas military bases and get it's 430,00 troops back home you would have many takers.

 

Here's a 100 baht to start it off with-just to get them to shut up.

Edited September 27, 2018 by Odysseus123

[Odysseus123]

3 minutes ago, car720 said:

and I cannot help thinking that the one who makes the most money from war and the sale of arms should be the one to pay the most.

True.

 

Here are the top 10 arms exporters in the world..

 

Just follow the conflicts..

 

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/top-countries-exporting-weapons-arms-sales-2018-3?r=US&IR=T

[impulse]

1 hour ago, Odysseus123 said:

No-one is forcing the USA to do anything.

 

Actually if you were to take up a collection "Orphans of Caluthumpia" or something that assisted the US to get off it's 800 overseas military bases and get it's 430,00 troops back home you would have many takers.

 

Here's a 100 baht to start it off with-just to get them to shut up.

 

If the USA quit protecting the sea lanes (using our treasure and our young people), Europe, Japan, Korea and a lot of the rest of the world would go dark and get pretty hungry when their freighters and tankers couldn't get insurance, or at such a high price that they'd be back on potato and rice diets, and pulling the car out only for special occasions.

 

And that's the topic here.  The sea lanes. 

 

I would love to see our government get out of the Middle East, Afghanistan, and so many other debacles.  But not back off protecting the sea lanes.  Until the freeloading nations pick up their share.  Which, it seems, they're doing.  Well, a few of them anyway.

 

And here's a sobering thought... Bangkok was once an important port for one of the Chinese dynasties.  Today, it's a 9 dash line.  Tomorrow, it may be 14 dashes and include Thailand...  The only thing that stands in the way is the USA.  Just like in the '40's.

 

Edited September 27, 2018 by impulse

[Odysseus123]

3 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

If the USA quit protecting the sea lanes (using our treasure and our young people), Europe, Japan, Korea and a lot of the rest of the world would go dark and get pretty hungry when their freighters and tankers couldn't get insurance, or at such a high price that they'd be back on potato and rice diets, and pulling the car out only for special occasions.

 

And that's the topic here.  The sea lanes. 

 

I would love to see our government get out of the Middle East, Afghanistan, and so many other debacles.  But not back off protecting the sea lanes.  Until the freeloading nations pick up their share.  Which, it seems, they're doing.  Well, a few of them anyway.

 

And here's a sobering thought... Bangkok was once an important port for one of the Chinese dynasties.  Today, it's a 9 dash line.  Tomorrow, it may be 14 dashes and include Thailand...  The only thing that stands in the way is the USA.  Just like in the '40's.

 

The USA is a maritime empire.

 

Of course it "defends" it's sea lanes and has been doing so ever since Admiral Perry forced the opening of Japan.

 

It's only rival was Great Britain which it set out to destroy post WW2.

 

I believe that the US entered WW2 because a zany Japanese admiral dropped a few bombs on it and an even nuttier dictator decided that "In for a pfennig in for a reichsmark"

 

Altruism wasn't working up to that point-and it isn't working now.

[Tug]

Let’s hope this Kaga remains a friend and doesent share the fate of her namesake.please keep the flag flying when we get competent leadership back here in the USA we will be joining you!

[Kiwiken]

8 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

If the USA quit protecting the sea lanes (using our treasure and our young people), Europe, Japan, Korea and a lot of the rest of the world would go dark and get pretty hungry when their freighters and tankers couldn't get insurance, or at such a high price that they'd be back on potato and rice diets, and pulling the car out only for special occasions.

 

And that's the topic here.  The sea lanes. 

 

I would love to see our government get out of the Middle East, Afghanistan, and so many other debacles.  But not back off protecting the sea lanes.  Until the freeloading nations pick up their share.  Which, it seems, they're doing.  Well, a few of them anyway.

 

And here's a sobering thought... Bangkok was once an important port for one of the Chinese dynasties.  Today, it's a 9 dash line.  Tomorrow, it may be 14 dashes and include Thailand...  The only thing that stands in the way is the USA.  Just like in the '40's.

 

If under your current President you stay on a course of isolationism and getting offside with you Allies. many of who have paid their share and more over the years both in financial backing for the USA and in blood. Then it will come to pass that the USA may not patrol the Sea Lanes as it does now. Then other Other Countries will have to increase their defence budgets or bow to China in the South China sea. But i think that japan is reinventing herself. Others of us need get Our heads out of the sand. I may not like your President or his bullying but for my Own Country I agree We freeload and especially upon Our Australian cousins when it comes to defence. Maybe a US pull back would get Our head out of the Sand

[candide]

"China dispatched a warship and helicopters to counter the British presence and warned London that similar actions in the future could endanger talks for a possible trade deal that Britain is seeking as it prepares to leave the European Union"

No problem. After Brexit UK will be able to negotiate a deal with the Taiwan instead of China. ????

[Odysseus123]

17 minutes ago, candide said:

"China dispatched a warship and helicopters to counter the British presence and warned London that similar actions in the future could endanger talks for a possible trade deal that Britain is seeking as it prepares to leave the European Union"

No problem. After Brexit UK will be able to negotiate a deal with the Taiwan instead of China. ????

After Brexit England (because the Welsh,Scots and Irish will have decamped) will not even be able to negotiate with the Emperor penguins of Adelaide Island,

 

The greatest bunch of bores on the planet will simply sink into oblivion..mould..athletes foot..tinea or whatsover.

[Tailwagsdog]

14 hours ago, asiamaster said:

I suggest the Russians and the Chinese to hold some drills in the North Sea

They already do incl in the med sea, and fly nuclear bombers toward their airspace. Try googling & read from reliable sources.

[Tailwagsdog]

4 hours ago, candide said:

"China dispatched a warship and helicopters to counter the British presence and warned London that similar actions in the future could endanger talks for a possible trade deal that Britain is seeking as it prepares to leave the European Union"

No problem. After Brexit UK will be able to negotiate a deal with the Taiwan instead of China. ????

Trade deals with beijing are complete BS, the world is starting to realise, beijing is trying to set up its own version of the Trans Pacific Partnership however most countires now realise its a honey trap, lots of promises but no level playing field in china. Caveat Emptor!

[IAMHERE]

13 hours ago, car720 said:

and I cannot help thinking that the one who makes the most money from war and the sale of arms should be the one to pay the most.

And I'd think those who use the South China Sea lanes the most would be footing the bill. Very few merchant ships with the USA flag ply those waters.

[impulse]

1 hour ago, car720 said:

1 hour ago, IAMHERE said:

And I'd think those who use the South China Sea lanes the most would be footing the bill. Very few merchant ships with the USA flag ply those waters.

Then why is the US so concerned if there are no "national interests" there?

 

You're confusing the USA's national interest and the 1%'s financial interest. 

 

The USA's national interest in the area, (and in Middle East oil, BTW) is the same as the rest of the world's.  The entire world economy depends on it.  Not just the USA's, and not the USA's any more than, for example, Japan, Korea, Europe. 

 

But as long as the USA is willing to pony up the blood and treasure, the rest of the world has been content to freeload.  With a few token exceptions as shown in the OP.

 

In fact, the USA is better positioned to survive the do-nothing scenario than a lot of other countries who enjoy state paid health care, 18 hour work weeks and fully funded retirement at age 40- all while sitting on the sidelines and bashing the very country that allows them to enjoy those perks.  (Yeah, that's hyperbole).

 

Edited September 28, 2018 by impulse

[impulse]

2 hours ago, car720 said:

What about the Lend Lease Agreement where the USA was more than happy to sit by and make money while everyone else's young people laid down their lives to put down evil in Europe as well as the East.  Ask the Australians who led just about everywhere if they paid their share.

 

What about it? 

 

WWI was just an extension of 1000+ years of incestuous Euro wars between Aunt Liz and Uncle Wilhelm, et.al.  WWII was just act 2 of WWI, and by then, Americans had decided not to spill our blood and spend our treasure in another bit of incest in Europe. 

 

As I recall, the evil East was Britain's ally in that debacle, along with a dozen other countries who Uncle Winnie lied to in order to get them on the team, then broke pretty much every promise he had made, resulting in today's Palestinian mess and refugee crisis.

 

The Japanese bombed us, but then, in infinite wisdom, Winnie convinced FDR to go after Germany first.  

 

So your contention that the USA was in it for the money falls pretty flat.  The Euro empires bankrupted each other to the point none of them could hold on to their colonies.  Don't blame the USA for that.

 

[JAG]

22 hours ago, Jonah Tenner said:

Russians do that as a matter of routine.

When they've got the long range tugboats available to get their warships back to port...

[Kiwiken]

13 hours ago, impulse said:

 

What about it? 

 

WWI was just an extension of 1000+ years of incestuous Euro wars between Aunt Liz and Uncle Wilhelm, et.al.  WWII was just act 2 of WWI, and by then, Americans had decided not to spill our blood and spend our treasure in another bit of incest in Europe. 

 

As I recall, the evil East was Britain's ally in that debacle, along with a dozen other countries who Uncle Winnie lied to in order to get them on the team, then broke pretty much every promise he had made, resulting in today's Palestinian mess and refugee crisis.

 

The Japanese bombed us, but then, in infinite wisdom, Winnie convinced FDR to go after Germany first.  

 

So your contention that the USA was in it for the money falls pretty flat.  The Euro empires bankrupted each other to the point none of them could hold on to their colonies.  Don't blame the USA for that.

 

WW1 was caused by Germany's wish to be a Naval power as well as the preeminent Central power. Britain was the One European Country not geared for war. Many young Commonwealth Soldiers died filling the gaps for getting caught on the hop. Second world war Most commonwealth nations were better prepared but Britain lost the bulk of her equipment  in France in 1940 . The Japanese attacking Pearl harbour was a result of American Sanctions and European racism (League of Nations 1922).

The USA had a policy to break up the British Empire that succeeded but only in part many stayed in the commonwealth but we had all been offered independence before WW2 via the Westminster statute.

Some Countries exited WW2 very wealthy Australia, and NZ and the USA among them.

Britain heavily in debt but economic policy probably the most to blame for the UK's hardships

And FDR and Churchill agreed Germany first as Germany the greater threat (they were close to Nukes). FDR was wise Truman a little more naive

[ExpatOilWorker]

On 9/27/2018 at 6:34 PM, Jonah Tenner said:

Russians do that as a matter of routine.

The Chinese also:

 

https://www.dw.com/en/china-and-russia-combine-naval-forces-in-the-baltic-sea/a-39816926

[ExpatOilWorker]

14 hours ago, JAG said:

When they've got the long range tugboats available to get their warships back to port...

 

That was the French that needed the tugboats.

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/1325965/French-calamity-carrier-heads-for-sea-again.html