The Defence Logistics Treaty strengthens defence ties between the UK and Japan. Just as well - the Japanese Fleet is twice the size of the Royal Navy.

The UK has just signed with Japan a defence agreement by the name of the Defence Logistics Treaty also known as the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement.  Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon’s welcome for the treaty included the words: “Japan is an important British ally and this treaty will enable closer joint work on operations and exercises, including sharing equipment, supplies and services. As Global Britain steps up, we will continue to stand alongside our Japanese friends to meet shared interests and challenges.”

Such talk of Japan being a friend and ally has a remarkably similar tone to the words used by Sir Oswald Mosely when, almost 50 years ago, he wrote of Britain’s relationship with Japan in the 1930s.  He stated: “. . . that Japan was not only an old friend but a traditional and remaining ally.”

In the late nineteenth century the Japanese Navy took the Royal Navy as its role model.  Japanese warships were built in British shipyards and naval missions from Britain advised the Japanese on the development of a modern fleet.  In the early twentieth century Vickers built the Kongo, the first of a class of 37,000 ton battlecruisers for the Japanese Navy, in its Barrow-in-Furness shipyard.  Three more of the class were subsequently built in Japan.  The Kongo was to see service in both world wars.

In World War One Japanese naval power enabled British warships to be withdrawn from the Far East and Pacific for service in the North Sea, Atlantic and Mediterranean.  Such cooperation came to an end before World War Two when Japanese colonial ambitions brought confrontation with the USA, Russia and Britain.

Today Japan has one of the largest navies in the world with 4 large helicopter carriers, 17 submarines, 36 destroyers and 6 destroyer escorts.  By contrast the Royal Navy has, excluding the Trident fleet, just 7 submarines of which none are presently on active operations and 19 frigates and destroyers.  Last July there was much adverse comment and speculation when all the Royal Navy’s modern Type 45 destroyers were reported as being in port at the same time.   Furthermore, they face long periods out of action having major modifications to their engines due to them failing when operating in hot climates.

In such circumstances it would seem that a wide ranging defence agreement with Japan could be of great benefit to the UK.  At sea the Japanese obviously have much more to offer us than we can offer them.  Hopefully the Defence Logistics Treaty will lead to greater military collaboration between our two island peoples – especially at sea!