The United Kingdom's Indo-Pacific Military Strategy and the Five Power Defence Arrangements: A Strategic Analysis

Abstract

The Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) plays a significant role in the United Kingdom’s Indo-Pacific military strategy, primarily by enhancing regional stability and fostering military interoperability. While the FPDA contributes to deterrence, its non-binding nature limits its ability to respond decisively in crises. The arrangement provides a platform for multilateral engagement and allows the UK to maintain influence in Southeast Asia, but its deterrent value is indirect and dependent on political will. The FPDA complements more advanced security frameworks like AUKUS, which focus on high-end deterrence capabilities, but faces limitations due to the UK’s resource constraints and its competing commitments, particularly in Europe. As a result, the FPDA remains an important yet constrained element in the UK’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy.