British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a major shift in the United Kingdom’s defense posture, with a strategic expansion of Royal Navy activities in the Pacific. The move underscores Britain’s commitment to US-led efforts to curb China’s expanding maritime influence and provides an opportunity for the UK to deepen ties with Pacific nations amid mounting regional tensions.
During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, Starmer will outline a plan to increase Royal Navy operations in the Pacific. These operations will focus on countering illegal fishing activities—a pressing concern for Pacific nations facing encroachment on their marine resources by China’s large, well-equipped fishing fleets often backed by Chinese security vessels. The Royal Navy’s involvement will also include disaster response and joint patrols with Pacific Island nations, building on the security relationships that have historically existed between the UK and this geopolitically critical region.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to the challenges faced by our friends and partners on the other side of the world,” Starmer stated. “This is just the beginning of our commitment to the Indo-Pacific.”
In recent years, the UK has taken strides to re-establish its naval presence in regions that were historically within its sphere of influence. The decision to deploy the HMS Prince of Wales, one of the Royal Navy’s two advanced aircraft carriers, for a Pacific tour in 2025 signals a renewed focus on the Indo-Pacific region. During this tour, the aircraft carrier and its escort ships are expected to visit former British bases, including Singapore, which held significant strategic importance to the British military until the mid-20th century.
The UK’s increased involvement comes amid the rise of China’s navy, which has recently surpassed the US Navy in terms of the number of ships and actively patrols waters throughout the Indo-Pacific. This expansion, which aligns with China’s Belt and Road Initiative and aims to secure vital sea routes, energy supplies, and regional influence, has sparked widespread unease among countries like the US, Australia, Japan, and France—nations with vested interests in the stability of the Indo-Pacific. Starmer’s announcement of increased naval patrols is thus seen as a reassurance to the US and other allies that Britain will contribute to the growing security burden in the region.
Aside from bolstering maritime security, Starmer is expected to announce joint initiatives with other Commonwealth nations to foster economic development and sustainability projects. One key initiative involves a partnership with Australia to establish a “Pacific Business Club,” an organization intended to support companies in bidding for approximately $6 billion in multilateral development bank contracts aimed at bolstering infrastructure, health, and education across the region. The initiative signals an economic pivot that seeks to strengthen the region’s economic resilience in the face of Chinese economic influence.
In collaboration with New Zealand, the UK will also launch programs to develop renewable energy projects across Pacific Island nations. With the Pacific region particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, renewable energy infrastructure is a priority for small island nations looking to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. This collaboration is intended to provide Pacific nations with more options as they strive to achieve sustainable development and mitigate climate impacts.
The decision to expand British naval activity in the Pacific is not occurring in isolation. Both the US and France, which have their own overseas territories in the Pacific, have increased their military presence and resources in the region in recent years. The US has been vocal about its desire for allies to help maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, with Washington calling on like-minded nations to push back against China’s regional encroachments. Australia, Japan, and India have also stepped up their military spending and security partnerships, resulting in strengthened regional alliances through frameworks like the Quad—an informal coalition of the US, Japan, Australia, and India.
France has been another notable player, regularly deploying naval vessels and conducting joint exercises to assert its commitment to regional stability. French territories such as New Caledonia and French Polynesia give it a strategic advantage in the Pacific, allowing it to maintain a military presence that extends across large areas of the South Pacific.
China’s Pacific strategy, meanwhile, is closely linked to its larger Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), through which it has provided substantial loans and infrastructure investment to Pacific nations. China’s extensive fishing operations, often conducted by government-affiliated companies, have increasingly led to incidents involving overfishing and illegal activities, putting significant pressure on local fish stocks and disturbing the livelihoods of Pacific islanders.
These actions have been met with resistance from Pacific countries and international organizations alike. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing has emerged as one of the region’s most significant concerns, with many Pacific nations lacking the resources to independently patrol their vast maritime territories. The UK’s increased patrols could provide Pacific Island nations with a valuable ally in addressing these pressing maritime security issues.
Since leaving the European Union, the UK has prioritized forging closer ties with non-European economies. In 2023, it became the first European nation to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), further cementing its commitment to the region. Membership in the CPTPP not only underscores Britain’s intention to establish closer trade relations with the Indo-Pacific but also demonstrates its strategic pivot towards global markets outside the European sphere.
Joining the CPTPP provides the UK with access to one of the world’s largest free-trade zones, encompassing diverse economies that collectively account for approximately 13% of global GDP. For the UK, CPTPP membership signifies more than just economic opportunity; it represents a strategic realignment designed to boost British influence in key regions and contribute to the larger security framework of the Indo-Pacific.
While Starmer’s Pacific agenda signals Britain’s renewed commitment to regional security, the country faces logistical and financial hurdles in maintaining a sustained presence. The Royal Navy’s resources remain limited, with only around 70 surface ships, in stark contrast to the US Navy’s fleet of nearly 300. Additionally, British aircraft carriers, including the HMS Prince of Wales, have experienced technical issues since commissioning, raising concerns about their reliability in long-distance deployments.
Given these limitations, the UK may increasingly rely on joint operations and burden-sharing with allies to enhance its Pacific presence. Currently, the UK has two patrol vessels, including the HMS Tamar, deployed in the Pacific, which played a security role during the Commonwealth gathering. These vessels, however, are only part of the solution; sustained British presence will likely necessitate closer coordination with the US, Australia, and other regional powers.
The Pacific region’s importance to global security stems not only from its natural resources but also from its proximity to critical maritime routes and undersea communication cables. These cables form the backbone of global internet infrastructure, and their security is a growing priority for many nations, especially as cyber threats and technological competition with China continue to rise.
Starmer’s visit to the Pacific has reinforced the UK’s awareness of the Indo-Pacific’s significance. The Prime Minister’s engagement with regional leaders signals a diplomatic approach aimed at developing mutually beneficial partnerships and reaffirming Britain’s commitment to its Pacific allies.
The UK’s increased focus on the Pacific comes at a time when countries in the region are looking for alternatives to Chinese influence. Pacific nations such as the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji, have traditionally been seen as politically neutral but are now becoming hotspots of geopolitical interest. By partnering with these nations, the UK hopes to provide them with support in economic development, security, and climate resilience, offering a counterbalance to Chinese initiatives.
In working alongside Pacific Island nations, the UK is aligning itself with other democratic nations in the region, promoting a rules-based international order and ensuring that Pacific nations have access to a diversity of partnerships. Starmer has expressed that Britain’s goals in the Pacific extend beyond competition with China, aspiring instead to contribute to a “safer, fairer world.”
