Bilateral Field Training Exercise by the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) and the British Army “VIGILANT ISLES 24”

2025/1/13
The Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) and the British Army will conduct a bilateral field training exercise, “Vigilant Isles 24”, from 15 to 26 January 2025 in Japan.

The objectives of this exercise are to develop the JGSDF’s operational capabilities on remote islands and to promote mutual understanding and trust between the JGSDF and the British Army. The 12th Brigade and 1st Airborne Brigade from JGSDF, as well as the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team from the British Army, will participate in this activity. The exercise will be conducted in accordance with the Japan-UK Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA: Agreement between Japan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Concerning the Facilitation of Reciprocal Access and Cooperation between the Self-Defence Forces of Japan and the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland).