Britain is prepared to take military action in the Pacific if conflict breaks out over Taiwan, Defence Secretary John Healey has stated, marking one of the strongest signals yet of potential UK involvement in a future Indo-Pacific conflict.
Speaking aboard the HMS Prince of Wales in Darwin, Australia, alongside Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Mr Healey, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to regional allies. The aircraft carrier is participating in joint military exercises with partners, including the US, as part of a wider show of strength and unity in the region.
Explaining the UK’s response to potential Chinese aggression toward Taiwan, Mr Healey said: “If we have to fight, as we have done in the past, Australia and the UK are nations that will fight together. We exercise together, and by exercising together and being more ready to fight, we deter better together.”
While Healey emphasized he was speaking in general terms, he also stressed the importance of deterrence, alliances, and upholding international order, saying, “we secure peace through strength, and our strength comes from our allies.”
His remarks come amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, where Chinese military activity around Taiwan and disputed maritime territories has raised concerns of a broader conflict. China’s President Xi Jinping has not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control, but a stance rejected by the government in Taipei.
A conflict over Taiwan, a major hub for semiconductor production, would likely trigger a global crisis, drawing in regional and international powers. Experts have long warned of the potentially vast economic and military fallout of any invasion.
The UK has historically followed a cautious approach on Taiwan, avoiding direct statements about potential military involvement. However, Healey’s comments indicate a shift toward a more assertive posture, reflecting growing concern over China’s actions in the region.
Britain’s largest warship on deployment
The HMS Prince of Wales, Britain’s largest warship, is on a nine-month deployment through the Indo-Pacific—the most significant Royal Navy presence in the region in nearly three decades. This includes participation in Talisman Sabre, Australia’s largest-ever joint military exercise, and future stops in Japan and South Korea.
The UK’s military deployment comes alongside diplomatic developments, including the signing of the Geelong Treaty—a new 50-year defence pact with Australia, reinforcing the UK’s role in the Aukus alliance with the US and Australia. The agreement commits the nations to jointly develop a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines.
The UK has also increased its commitment to freedom of navigation operations in the region. Last month, the HMS Spey, a Royal Navy patrol vessel, sailed through the Taiwan Strait, a move welcomed by Taiwan but condemned by Beijing. While the UK does not announce its naval movements in advance, it is widely expected that the Prince of Wales will pass through the Strait on its way to East Asia.
Foreign Secretary of Britain David Lammy, who was also aboard the ship, has previously affirmed the UK’s intention to increase patrols in the area to uphold the international laws of the sea and safeguard maritime freedom.
Despite these moves, the UK has not signalled any formal change in its policy toward Taiwan. Mr Healey confirmed there is no change in the UK’s approach, reiterating the government’s preference for peaceful and diplomatic resolutions.
The UK’s position remains broadly aligned with the US strategy of strategic ambiguity, in which Washington refrains from clearly stating whether it would defend Taiwan in a conflict. While former US President Joe Biden broke from this stance during his term, current President Donald Trump has returned to a more cautious approach, though Pentagon preparations for potential conflict continue.
Australia has also maintained a careful tone. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently declined to confirm whether Australia would join the US in defending Taiwan if war were to erupt.
Former Defence Secretary Sir Gavin Williamson told the media that the UK’s tougher rhetoric reflects a growing recognition of the threat China poses in the Indo-Pacific.
“There’s a realisation that by being completely silent, it doesn’t make it more or less likely [that conflict will happen]. Deterrence is about setting out the consequences that will come about as a result of other people’s dangerous or malign actions.”
He added that stronger messaging from British officials could help prevent escalation by reinforcing the consequences of aggression.
