British Defence Ministry revealed on Wednesday the United Kingdom plans to deploy its warships of the Littoral Response Group to the Indian Ocean Region in the coming months while scheduling the deployment of the Carrier Strike Group for 2025.
In a statement, the ministry said that both groups will engage in joint operations and training alongside the Indian military. "There is absolutely no question that the world is becoming increasingly contested, so it's vital that we continue to build on our strategic relationships with key partners like India. Together we share the same security challenges and are steadfast on our commitment to maintaining a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific," Defence Secretary Grant Shapps commented.
The announcement comes weeks after a merchant ship in the Indian Ocean was allegedly shot by an Iranian drone.