Defence November 2018

UK and Japan join forces

Historic military exercise for “natural partners”

The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), based at Finsbury Barracks in London, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) conducted joint exercises from 30 September to 12 October (page 7). Lieutenant-General Patrick Sanders, Commander Field Army, said: “I am delighted to be here in Camp Fuji today to witness the first-ever deployment of the British Army to Japan to exercise with the JGSDF. The UK and Japan are natural partners. It is a partnership based on common beliefs and values, such as the rule of law and democracy”. HAC received a Royal Charter from Henry VIII in 1537 and can trace its history back to 1087.