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At most, it describes China as an “increased risk to British interests,” but only as a “systemic competitor” that Britain should “engage with” and “remain open to.”īritain’s “ tilt” toward the Indo-Pacific signals growing recognition of the important role this region is likely to play in the coming decades. While recognizing North Korea’s destabilizing impact, it does not identify any adversaries in this region. Whilst deterrence is a primary task for any warship, the Integrated Review does not refer to deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. As a consequence, the bulk of the United Kingdom’s military remains focused on Europe and the Atlantic. The integrated defense review identified NATO as Britain’s main defense effort and Russia as its main adversary. This article examines the Royal Navy’s options and considers tasking, threat assessment, and basing options, before it makes the case that, at this specific moment in time, a frigate is not an appropriate option for the Indo-Pacific. For a middle power, strategic messaging is the most important consideration. As a middle power (albeit one with a blue-water navy) Britain’s strategy is more modest than that of the United States and, therefore, its approach should also be different. While a small presence may signal weakness or vulnerability for a superpower navy such as that of the United States, Britain’s role on the international scene is different. Each new maritime task needs to be judged on its own merits considering its objectives and operating environment. But using a frigate, the work horse of the fleet, for all overseas tasking is akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Given the region’s sheer size and the growing menace of China within the South China Sea, some argue that a frigate is a better platform for this role. Why is the Royal Navy sending two of its smallest warships to the world’s largest ocean? The First Sea Lord’s announcement of the Royal Navy’s intention to forward deploy two offshore patrol vessels to the Indo-Pacific has been met with skepticism.