Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Accepted
Five Power Defence Arrangements offer UK opportunities to lead engagement with non-aligned Indo-Pacific nations
Conclusion
Long-standing membership of the Five Power Defence Arrangements offers opportunities for the UK to lead the defence conversation, alongside Australia, in engaging with smaller non-aligned nations in the Indo-Pacific, whilst noting the strategic sensitivities for some of those nations. (Paragraph 91) What next for the Tilt?
Government Response Summary
The government outlines its existing strong commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements, highlighting current efforts where the UK is already taking a leading role in shaping regional security, such as encouraging defensive cyber and incorporating non-military challenges into planning.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The UK takes seriously its long-standing commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). The FPDA, now in its fifty second year, plays a significant role and contributes in promoting cooperative responses in an increasingly complex regional security environment. In addition to strengthening our bilateral cooperation with longstanding partners, meaningful UK engagement with the FPDA is a credible demonstration of our commitment to the region. The UK has taken a leading role in shaping the FPDA’s contribution to regional security. For example, the UK has encouraged incorporating defensive cyber into future FPDA exercises and led on efforts to maximise training value for the 5th Generation assets of member-nations. We have also worked with our FPDA partners in recognising that non-military challenges, such as climate change and demand for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief responses, will continue to grow and should be incorporated into FPDA planning. These efforts have helped ensure that the UK continues to make a strong and positive contribution to the FPDA. The FPDA emphasises its transparency through increased observer programs. The grouping meets with ASEAN member states twice yearly, ahead of FPDA’s Exercise BERSAMA SHIELD and Exercise BERSAMA LIMA. The UK remains committed to building regional confidence that the FPDA is defensive in nature and not targeted against any particular country, whilst supporting the Arrangements’ capacity to deal with current and future threats.