British Presence in the Indian Ocean: Prospects for Expansion

51
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2022-66-1-60-67
Independent Expert.

Received 26.01.2021.

Abstract. The article explores the possibility of strengthening and expanding the British political and military presence in the Indian Ocean, its probable goals, objectives, methods and means there. The main purpose of the study is to consider the possibility activating the British military policy in this area, to assess the importance of the Indian Ocean region for London, the prospect of direct expansion of the military presence, the role of British private military companies and alternative methods of influence. The paper analyzes current trends and problems in the foreign and security policy of the United Kingdom. The relevance of the study is due to the change in the British architecture of foreign policy and the perception of its place in international relations. Using system and comparative analysis methods of research, the author concludes the growing probability of expanding the British military presence in the Indian Ocean in the medium and long term. Modern British navy firearms status can allow to increase the intensity of the British military presence in the Indian Ocean. Also, this circumstance may activate Great Britain’s foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific region. It should be noted that the strengthening of the British fleet can be called a marker of the desire of the United Kingdom to become a global player in the international arena. To achieve this goal, almost all possible means of strengthening the capabilities of the UK’s hard power are used: the navy, private military companies, as well as new military alliances such as AUKUS. The work on intensifying the influence in the Indo-Pacific region is a part of the British foreign policy on global strengthening, and should be considered in the context of other regions: Ukraine, Turkey and Northern Europe. Nevertheless, at the moment, the results of such activities cannot be called completely predictable.

Keywords: Great Britain, Indian Ocean, private military business, armed forces


REFERENCES

  1. Black J. Britain as a military power, 1688–1815. London, UCL Press, 1999. 345 p.
  2. Hennings J. Global Britain in the Indo-Pacific. The Henry Jackson Society, May, 2018. 36 p. Available at: https://henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Global-Britain-in-the-Indo-Pacific-WEB.pdf (accessed 07.01.2021).
  3. Godovanyuk K.A. The UK Priorities in the Indo-Pacific. Contemporary Europe, 2020, no. 1, pp. 37-48. (In Russ.) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15211/soveurope120203748  
  4. British Empire 2.0? Defence Sec vows to put UK bases in Caribbean & Asia in post-Brexit expansion. December 30, 2018. Available at: https://www.rt.com/uk/447799-british-empire-defence-sec-williamson/ (accessed 07.01.2021).
  5. Empire 2.0: the Fantasy That’s Fuelling Tory Divisions on Brexit. November 8, 2018. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/nov/08/empire-fantasy-fuelling-tory-divisions-on-brexit (accessed 07.01.2021).
  6. National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015. Third Annual Report, HM Government, July, 2019. 59 p. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/819613/NSS_and_SDSR_2015_Third_Annual_Report_-_FINAL__2_.pdf (accessed 07.01.2021).
  7. Canada and the Five Eyes Intelligence Community. Canadian International Council, December 2012. 14 p. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20150910204519/http://www.cdfai.org.previewmysite.com/PDF/Canada%20and%20the%20Five%20Eyes%20Intelligence%20Community.pdf (accessed 07.01.2021).
  8. Uesseler R. War as a Service. Moscow, Stolitsa-Print, 2007. 320 p. (In Russ.)
  9. Babcock Team 31 has been contracted by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to deliver five Type 31 frigates. Babcock. Available at: https://www.babcockinternational.com/what-we-do/marine/defence/type-31/ (accessed 07.07.2020).
  10. Type 26 Global Combat Ship (GCS) Programme. Naval Technology. Available at: https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/global-combat-ship-gcs-programme/ (accessed 07.07.2020).
  11. SHIPS Naval power and prowess. Royal Navy. Available at: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/ships (accessed 07.01.2021).
  12. Royal Navy’s new Bahrain base seriously enhances Britain’s ability to defend the Gulf. The Telegraph, 10.11.2016. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/10/todays-opening-of-the-royal-navys-new-bahrain-base-seriously-enh/ (accessed 07.01.2021).
  13. UK, Soft Power and Indo-Pacific, 2020. Moderndiplomacy, March 02, 2020. Available at: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2020/03/02/uk-soft-power-and-indo-pacific/ (accessed 07.01.2021).
  14. Heiduk F., Wacker G. From Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific. German Institute for International and Security Affairs, July 2020. 46 p. Available at: https://www.swp-berlin.org/fileadmin/contents/products/research_papers/2020RP09_IndoPacific.pdf (accessed 07.01.2021).
  15. Global Britain in a Competitive Age: the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. July 2, 2021. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/global-britain-in-a-competitive-age-the-integrated-review-of-security-defence-development-and-foreign-policy/global-britain-in-a-competitive-age-the-integrated-review-of-security-defence-development-and-foreign-policy (accessed 10.05.2021).
  16. Chalmers M., Jessett W. Defence and the Integrated Review: A Testing Time. RUSI, March 26, 2020. Available at: https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/whitehall-reports/defence-and-integrated-review-testing-time (accessed 10.05.2021).
  17. RIVER CLASS. Royal Navy. Available at: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/ships/patrol-and-minehunters/river-class (accessed 10.05.2021).
  18. Istomin I.A. Policy in the Indo-Pacific Region: Implications for Russia. RIAC’s Working paper, 2019, no. 49. 46 p. (In Russ.)
  19. Libya: Examination of intervention and collapse and the UK’s future policy options. House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. September 14, 2016. 53 p. Available at: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmfaff/119/119.pdf (accessed 07.01.2021).

Registered in System SCIENCE INDEX

For citation:
Shkrobtak I. British Presence in the Indian Ocean: Prospects for Expansion. World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2022, vol. 66, no. 1, pp. 60-67. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2022-66-1-60-67



Comments (0)

No comments

Add comment







Indexed

 

 

 

 

Dear authors! Please note that in the VAK List of peer-reviewed scientific journals, in which the main scientific results of dissertations for the degree of candidate and doctor of sciences should be published for the “MEMO Journal” the following specialties are recorded:
economic sciences:
5.2.5. World Economy.
5.2.1. Economic Theory
5.2.3. Regional and Branch Economics
political sciences:
5.5.4. International Relations
5.5.1. History and Theory of Politics
5.5.2. Political Institutions, Processes, Technologies

 

Current Issue
2024, vol. 68, No. 12
Topical Themes of the Issue:
  • Mechanisms of International Financial Relations in the Conditions of Globalization Crisis  
  • “New” Militarization of Europe?
  • Foreign Economic Policy of Germany: African Vector
  • Transformation of the Conflict Field in Abkhazia: Contemporary Politics and Historical Context
Announcement

Dear authors of the journal!

Please note that the author's copies of the issues in which your texts are published are kept in the editorial office for no more than one year. After this period expires, the editorial office has the right to dispose of unclaimed copies at its own discretion.

 

Submit an Article
INVITATION FOR PUBLICATION
The Editorial Board invites authors to write analytical articles on the following topics:
  • changes in the processes of globalization in modern conditions
  • formation of the new world order
  • shifts in civilization at the stage of transition to a digital society

The editors are also interested in publishing synthesis articles / scientific reviews revealing the main trends in the development of certain regions of the world - Latin America, Africa, South Asia, etc.