Brits Step Up to the Plate in the South China Sea

[de officiis]

British fighters to overfly South China Sea; carriers in Pacific after 2020: envoy

12/1 - David Brunnstrom - Reuters

British fighter planes visiting Japan will fly over the South China Sea and Britain will sail aircraft carriers in the Pacific once they are operational in 2020, given concerns about freedom of navigation there, Britain's ambassador to the United States said on Thursday.

The envoy . . . told a Washington think tank that British Typhoon aircraft currently deployed on a visit to Japan would fly across disputed parts of the South China Sea to assert international overflight rights . . . .

...

Four British fighter planes arrived in Japan in October to take part in exercises with Japanese forces at a time of rising tensions over China's pursuit of disputed territory in East Asia, including the South and East China Seas.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-brita ... SKBN13R00D

<little popcorn guy/>

Anyone care to posit how these growing tensions with China over navigation rights in the S. China Sea are likely to play out?

[Okeefenokee]

Damn, Britain. Typhoons? You need some money?



/snicker

[skankhunt42]

What is China's end game in all of this? Taiwan? Something more?
I say we let the Japanese arm up to the gils again, screw it.

[Ex-California]

How can they not have operational aircraft carriers? Britain was built on naval power and their power rests more on their navy than even the US's does. Do they just expect to ride on our coattails?

[Xenophon]

How can they not have operational aircraft carriers? Britain was built on naval power and their power rests more on their navy than even the US's does. Do they just expect to ride on our coattails?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Rely on America to preserve our security at home without spending as much money on it? Yes, please! *eats scone*

What is China's end game in all of this? Taiwan? Something more?
I say we let the Japanese arm up to the gils again, screw it.

They're playing the regional hegemonic role. They want the same rights to toot-toot their tugboats around as the West, and they have the ability in their sphere to play that role. This is all prep-work for a contingency plan, make no mistake.

Part of me wants to allow Japan to re-militarize, although I don't know enough about Japanese politics and culture to say whether or not they wouldn't just regress into Tojo again.

[SilverEagle]

How can they not have operational aircraft carriers? Britain was built on naval power and their power rests more on their navy than even the US's does. Do they just expect to ride on our coattails?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Rely on America to preserve our security at home without spending as much money on it? Yes, please! *eats scone*

What is China's end game in all of this? Taiwan? Something more?
I say we let the Japanese arm up to the gils again, screw it.

They're playing the regional hegemonic role. They want the same rights to toot-toot their tugboats around as the West, and they have the ability in their sphere to play that role. This is all prep-work for a contingency plan, make no mistake.

Part of me wants to allow Japan to re-militarize, although I don't know enough about Japanese politics and culture to say whether or not they wouldn't just regress into Tojo again.

Yeah I don't think I would let them arm up again. Trump will deal with China the proper way.......Win back favor with Russia and make them a true ally. With Americans, Russians, and the Brits on the same side China will do exactly jack shit because they know it would be their doom.

[Montegriffo]

Damn, Britain. Typhoons? You need some money?



/snicker

Aw come on, we came up with the Spitfire. We won and quit forever on top. Can't be beat. End of.

[Montegriffo]

How can they not have operational aircraft carriers? Britain was built on naval power and their power rests more on their navy than even the US's does. Do they just expect to ride on our coattails?

Carrier's have been ready for years.
You are late delivering the planes.
According to Smitty anyway.