PRESS RELEASE : Royal Navy to participate in Japanese military exercise Keen Sword [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 November 2022.

A large-scale military exercise “Keen Sword” will be held from November 10th to 19th using Japan’s Self-Defense Forces facilities and surrounding waters and airspace. This year’s theme is a joint response to armed attacks.

HMS Spey will train alongside Australian and Canadian warships and aircraft, Japan and the United States with 36,000 troops, 30 ships and 370 aircraft. This exercise will validate readiness and improve interoperability among participating countries.

Lieutenant Commander Bridget McNay, HMS Spey’s second-in-command (temporary commander), said:

“We are thrilled to be visiting Japan for the first time. We will continue the excellent cooperation between Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Forces and other allies and partners during Exercise Keen Sword.” I hope that

With the Royal Navy’s HMS Tamer and HMS Spey stationed in the Indo-Pacific, the Royal Navy will participate in a number of exercises in the region throughout 2022, following the first deployment of the British Carrier Strike Group in 2021. I was able to.

HMS Tamer Commander Lieutenant Colonel Teiro Elliott Smith, who recently participated in a multinational mine warfare exercise off the coast of South Korea, said:

“Working with our partners at sea allows us to share and demonstrate common approaches to regional challenges. It is an expression of the British determination to

The operational exercise “Keen Sword” was first conducted in 1985. It is held alternately every year with a command post exercise called “Keen Edge”, and this year is the 16th.