On September 18, two Japanese F-15 fighters, along with C-2 transport, KC-767, and KC-46A refueling aircraft arrived at Conningsby RAF Base in the UK. This deployment follows their earlier stationing at the Air Force Base in Laage, Germany, marking a significant move for Japan’s military presence in Europe.
Characterizing it as a “friendly visit,” the Japanese Self-Defense Forces referred to this mission as the “Atlantic Eagles” initiative, emphasizing that security in both the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are intertwined.
This isn’t the first instance of increasingly close relations between Japan and Europe. Back in December 2022, the UK and Japan jointly announced plans to develop a Tempest Fighter, a successor to the British Typhoon. The next month, both nations signed mutual access agreements which facilitated military operations within each other’s territories and established cooperative plans for large-scale exercises.
In May 2023, furthering this trend, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a Japanese minister signed the Hiroshima Agreement, aimed at fostering extensive collaboration.
Japan has also been strengthening its security relationships with the European Union. In November 2024, the two entities launched a mutually beneficial defense partnership that includes naval cooperation, joint military exercises, space security discussions, and cybersecurity initiatives.
While Japan’s agreement with the EU is not as robust as its arrangements with the UK—which the British government describes as their most significant defense treaty in over a century—it still acknowledges the interconnectedness of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
This focus on interconnectivity likely stems from rising European concerns regarding China’s movements in the Pacific, along with Japan’s anxieties over both China and Russia’s aggressive posturing. After all, Russia’s influence extends into the Pacific as well.
It’s difficult to predict how Putin’s ambitions for territorial expansion might play out in light of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. His historical fixation, evidenced by his earlier decision to transfer certain archives, could push him to exert pressure on Japan over territorial disputes, such as the Kuril Islands, amidst the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
Putin’s comments during the Alaska Summit with President Trump highlight his inclination towards historical narratives. He spoke about the rich cultural heritage linked to Russian America, mentioning its Orthodox churches and numerous geographic names of Russian origin.
Japan’s strategy to bolster its defense ties with Europe runs parallel to the UK’s efforts to reinforce its connections with Australia and Japan, rooted in long-standing agreements, including the 1971 deal involving Malaysia, Singapore, and New Zealand. Moreover, with a significant number of French nationals residing in areas considered part of Metropolitan France, these defense collaborations underline the reality that European leaders are not merely engaging in diplomatic rhetoric about Indo-Pacific interdependence.
On the US front, strengthening ties between American and allied European and Asian nations is evidently beneficial. Washington has a role in addressing the concerns of its partners in both regions. President Trump’s recent suggestion that NATO countries should take action if Russian aircraft violate airspace is a step in the right direction.
Allied nations are in urgent need of such affirmations, alongside clearer statements from the US administration. The more Washington demonstrates solidarity with its allies, the more likely it is that both Beijing and Moscow will reconsider aggressive actions.
