Sailing the Seven Seas - CSG21 arrives in the Pacific

 

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH has been operating in the Pacific Ocean, and having transited the Luzon Strait, has now arrived in the Philippine Sea.

These waters, which were the scenes of some of the most significant naval battles in history, and which are arguably synonymous with maritime airpower, due to the battles of the Second World War are far from home, but still of enormous interest to the UK.

This global deployment of the Carrier Strike Group has been a helpful reminder on several levels of both the importance of maritime (air)power, and why it is a vital capability in the 21^st Century.

Image by Ministry of Defence; © Crown copyright

The fact that the Royal Navy can send a multi-national Strike Group to the other side of the world, and operate as a fully integrated force sends a remarkably powerful signal to nations. The film footage taken of a Replenishment at Sea underway, with the Dutch frigate ‘Van Evertsen’ and the QUEEN ELIZABETH both taking on supplies from  RFA TIDESPRING, while the QE was conducting fixed wing flying operations is both stunning and sends a clear message.

To our allies it symbolises that the UK can stand up and deploy a phenomenally capable force, capable of sustaining itself over vast distances, and thoroughly integrate the various component parts together to work effectively as a fighting body.

Replenishment at Sea is difficult, and relatively few navies do it very often because the potential for things to go wrong is high. To do it between ships from two different countries is rarer still. To do it between ships of two different countries, while conducting fixed wing flying operations, well that’s a level of capability that very, very few people can aspire to or do.

The message this image sends is a simple one – the Royal Navy is a serious, professional, and VERY capable operator at sea, and makes the very difficult look like a piece of cake. If they can do this, what are they capable of when it comes to taking the gloves off and engaging in combat?

For those seeking reassurance of our commitment or support, or who want to consider working more closely with the British, this image also sends another message. It says that working closely with the UK means that if you are in trouble, then some potentially very capable assistance may be on hand to support.

To other allies it sends a simple message that the UK is able to play a valued part where required in the world, and does things most other countries cannot even think about trying. The images of the RAS will have been noted as a gentle reminder that the RN can be considered as an ‘ally of value’ and one that is genuinely capable of doing difficult tasks effectively.

Other countries may draw a slightly different message from this image. It shows that nations outside your sphere of interest and influence are both able, and willing, to sail in your area of interest, and do so on their terms.

The near histrionic reaction from some of the Chinese press points to a level of insecurity to a degree – the offensive commentary determined to demean and diminish the Royal Navy presence in the region is actually surprisingly helpful in reminding us that, despite public messages to the contrary, Beijing does care about this deployment.

The reason for this is that it reminds the Chinese that the South China Sea is not a lake for the exclusive use of the PLAN. The message is that foreign nations from outside the region can, and will, sail at a time of their choosing in the area, and there is nothing that Beijing can do to stop this.

This in turn matters because the multi-national nature of the task group shows that this isn’t just ‘little Britain’ on a jolly trip. It’s an international task force, and if the UK and other nations are willing to work together operationally in the region for a deployment, when else might they be able to do so?

The message is that there is a capable and effective international carrier task group in the South China Sea. It is a direct challenge to a narrative, and a reminder that other nations are not prepared to cede effective control of these waters. When coupled with deployments by other nations – for example the French Navy recently operated here, and the Germans are on the verge of sending a frigate out to the region too.

Image by Ministry of Defence; © Crown copyright

Some will ask why the UK is interested in the remote waters of the Pacific – surely we have problems closer to home to take care of? This argument is easily made, but stands up to little scrutiny. We live in a world that is increasingly interconnected, and interdependent on each other.

The events of earlier this year, when the Suez Canal was blocked show that disruption to the global economy can occur because of an incident in a single location. The idea that weeks of supply chain impact, disruption to shop supplies and economic losses were incurred due to a single ship seems incredible, but is true – as a global society we are inextricably linked to each other.

An event in the maritime domain far from home can and will impact directly on us here in the UK. Piracy, hostage taking, attacks on shipping by rogue states – all of these could potentially impact on our way of life through shipping disruption, delays to port arrivals, or just the loss of parts in a ‘just in time’ supply chain.

The act of deploying maritime power out to the Pacific helps act as a reminder that the UK can help to positively shape events and reduce the likelihood of disruption. This could occur anywhere along the vast global shipping lanes, as is being seen over recent events in the Indian Ocean where Iranian regime elements have targeted merchant ships. The key message though is that a deployment of this scale proves that the UK can and will be able to send a response if required.

Of course this response won’t always be a Carrier Strike Group, but there is a growing desire to do more in the Indian/Pacific Ocean areas. The news that two RN OPVs will be forward deployed into the region is helpful in sending a reminder message that, even if the QUEEN ELIZABETH is not present, the UK interest continues.

Some may wonder what value there is of two smaller patrol ships being permanently operational in the area is. Arguably there is huge value, although much of it comes from smaller intangible things that pay dividends later on.

The beauty of the RIVER Class is that they are a relatively simple ship to work with and can be used in a wide variety of situations. The UK has not had warships permanently operating in the Pacific region since 1997, and many of the local ties that existed before at working level have diminished as RN deployments became fewer in number.

By having ships around it helps reopen basic dialogue and operational experience. For example, even the practise of arranging ship visits, providing stores, navigating through the complex web of diplomatic and official channels to provide the right paperwork and knowing who the right person to call in a crisis would be, is all vital knowledge.

By having the two ships operating across the region, this low level engagement grows, rebuilding insight into how to operate locally and building strong links with regional militaries.

The RIVER class will never be able to destroy enemy fleets, but if you want vessels able to do the low level maritime constabulary role, build training links, take the next generation of foreign Officer Cadets to sea  or function as a backdrop and host to a British Ministerial visit, then these ships are perfect.

They can carry out the routine drumbeat of activity, engagement, support to Defence Sections in Embassies and High Commissions and help keep links alive at working levels between militaries, and act as a gentle reminder of UK interest in the region.

In turn this means that when larger deployments occur into the region – for example Carrier Strike or Littoral Strike Groups, then not only are additional ships on hand, but there are strong links in place to make the visits, and the necessary support, a success.

All too often people look at defence presence as being about guns, missiles and grey menacing hull able to kick arse and take names. In fact an effective defence presence is arguably as much about the soft picture – knowing who the senior officer is in the Fleet visitor team to get emergency DIPCLEAR, or having a favour to call in to secure access for a visitor or supplies. By building the working links at mundane level, it makes the more senior work go much more smoothly.

Of course all of this is being done against the backdrop of a busy operationally committed Royal Navy too. There has been some inaccurate comments recently on warship availability, with media reports breathlessly suggesting that half the fleet is ‘out of action’ or that ‘5 of 6 Type 45s are broken’.

The reality remains far more mundane – the fact is that ships need repairs, they need planned maintenance and they need to be ready to go to sea on a cyclical basis to ensure that there is always a constant set of ships ready for deployment. This is hardly news, it’s a readiness cycle that every navy in the world works to, although it is depressing to see it presented in the press as a uniquely British failure to ensure that ships are repaired and maintained.

In truth Royal Navy ship availability is generally good, and given how hard the ships work, and how often they deploy, it squeezes a lot of value for money from hard worked hulls and people. Most navies out there are envious of the ability of the RN to get so much out of its force, and to operate globally with such apparent ease.

The fact is that the Royal Navy is once again demonstrating its global reach and capability. To have a force sail thousands of miles from home, operating with multiple different navies, take part in many different operations and continue to deliver what is asked of it, even with constant disruption from COVID and other issues is a real testament to the capability of the RN.

To those who would seek to mock or moan, ask yourself what success looks like in your eyes, and show a comparable nation out there able to do as much with the naval forces it has? There are two countries in the world right now with aircraft carriers deployed abroad, and the UK is one of them. This is a message of success and capability that many aspire to, but few achieve.

There are doubtless challenges ahead, but when we look at the journey we’ve come on, and how far it has come, then it is hard not to be both very proud, and very excited about the future that lies ahead still.