Paratroopers from the British Army’s global response force have joined forces with their Japanese counterparts to strengthen the relationship between the two nations’ militaries.
Exercise Vigilant Isles 24 saw more than 100 soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade train in Japan alongside the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces’ (JGSDF) 12th Brigade and 1st Airborne Brigade.
Paratroopers from B Company, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, disembarked a Japanese CH47 as it landed on on landing zone (LZ) to begin their final tactical exercise (FTX) whilst working alongside the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces’ (JGSDF) during Exercise Vigilant Isle in Japan on the 23rd of January 2025.
With a focus on defensive operations, the British contingent deployed on the two-week-long drills (15 to 26 January) was built around the paratroopers of Colchester-based B Company, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (B Coy, 3 PARA).
Exercise Vigilant Isles is about British and Japanese soldiers training together to be ready to operate together.
At the mountainous Hijyudai training area on Kyushu, the training started with learning about each other’s equipment and tactics before deploying on a three-day mission to practice countering a hostile invasion.
With Japanese paratroopers jumping in to secure a landing zone, B Coy 3 PARA and 12th Brigade soldiers landed from JGSDF Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters. Advancing on foot up steep hills and across tall and thick grassland, the troops worked in co-ordination to find and strike enemy positions assault and recapture territory.
A Japanese soldier from the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces’ (JGSDF), looked out over the terrain as they transported paratroopers from B Company, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, in three Japanese CH47’s as they begun their final tactical exercise (FTX) during Exercise Vigilant Isle in Japan on the 23rd of January 2025.
The joint forces’ planning was shaped by British Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities. Electronic warfare specialists from 14 Signal Regiment monitored enemy communications to track their location, with Puma uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) from 32 Regiment Royal Artillery providing eyes in the sky.
Officer Commanding B Company, Major Iain Thompson, from the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, engaged in planning with the 1st Airborne Brigade, Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces’ (JGSDF), whilst on the final tactical exercise (FTX) during Exercise Vigilant Isle in Japan on the 23rd of January 2025.
Major Iain Thompson, Officer Commanding B Coy 3 PARA, said: “Exercise Vigilant Isles is about British and Japanese soldiers training together to be ready to operate together. With airborne and air assault units from each nation taking part, we started out with a similar mindset and skills that helped to create a very natural partnership, both in the field and off duty.
“The training we have done with the Japanese has developed our understanding of each other’s capabilities but will also benefit our soldiers whatever their next challenge is. Training in such an unfamiliar and demanding environment and learning from how the Japanese operate in these conditions will only improve our skills.”
Private Liam Thornton, a 3 PARA signaller, described the exercise as “a great experience”.
Soldiers from 32 Regiment Royal Artillery electronically guide the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) “Puma” and scanned the ground with its camera system whilst on their final tactical exercise (FTX) when working alongside the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces’ (JGSDF) during Exercise Vigilant Isle in Japan on the 23rd of January 2025.
“It’s always good to come to a different country and work with other soldiers,” he said. “The Japanese are very professional as soldiers, but they’re also incredibly nice as people. The language barrier is there but, after training, we’ve been able to get to know each other and find out about Japanese culture.”
At the exercise’s closing ceremony, Major General Masaki Maejima, 12th Brigade commander, said the two nations’ troops had “improved our skills together”.
British troops worked alongside the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces’ (JGSDF) to share information and planning to defeat the enemy whilst on their final tactical exercise (FTX) during Exercise Vigilant Isle in Japan on the 23rd of January 2025.
Group photo of distinguished guests (left to right) Major General Wakamatsu, 1st Airborne Brigade Commander; Brigadier Mark Berry, Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade; General Morishita, Chief of Staff of Japanese Ground Self Defence Force; Julia Longbottom, UK Ambassador to Japan; Lieutenant General Togashi, Commander of Eastern Army; Major General Maejima, Commander of 12th Brigade; and Major Dan Ward, UK assistant defence attache in Japan who visited the beginning of the final tactical exercise (FTX) as British troops worked the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces’ (JGSDF) during Exercise Vigilant Isle in Japan on the 23rd of January 2025.
“Based on the results of this training, we will make further efforts to reinforce our relationship and improve our operational capabilities to meet any contingencies together,” he said.
Exercise Vigilant Isles – running for the third time – is part of the deepening military relationship between the UK and Japan, built around a shared commitment to Indo-Pacific security. The UK is the only European country able to conduct bilateral military training in Japan.
