British warships HMS Spey and HMS Tamar docked Down Under in Brisbane for first time in 28 years amid concerns over China

A British warship is docked Down Under in Brisbane for the first time in nearly 30 years amid concerns over China.
By Steve Deeks
Published 7th Aug 2023, 13:43 BST
Updated 9th Aug 2023, 16:16 BST
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HMS Spey and sister ship Tamar are docked in Brisbane – the first time in 28 years a British naval ship has been located in the city. The two vessels are on patrol in the Pacific as Britain renews its focus in the region.

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It comes amid concerns about China's actions in the Pacific. HMS Spey's commanding officer Bridget Macnae said the east coast port was being used again to allow Britain to expand its influence across the Pacific.

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Commanding Officer Bridget MacNae speaks to the media from aboard HMS Spey in Brisbane, Australia ahead of the England v Nigeria Women's World Cup match. The arrival of the state-of-the-art Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Spey marks the first visit of the Royal Navy to Brisbane since the HMS Monmouth in 1995. Picture date: Monday August 7th, 2023. PA Photo. Photo credit: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.Commanding Officer Bridget MacNae speaks to the media from aboard HMS Spey in Brisbane, Australia ahead of the England v Nigeria Women's World Cup match. The arrival of the state-of-the-art Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Spey marks the first visit of the Royal Navy to Brisbane since the HMS Monmouth in 1995. Picture date: Monday August 7th, 2023. PA Photo. Photo credit: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.
Commanding Officer Bridget MacNae speaks to the media from aboard HMS Spey in Brisbane, Australia ahead of the England v Nigeria Women's World Cup match. The arrival of the state-of-the-art Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Spey marks the first visit of the Royal Navy to Brisbane since the HMS Monmouth in 1995. Picture date: Monday August 7th, 2023. PA Photo. Photo credit: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.

She told Australian news agency AAP: "In terms of using Brisbane as an example, it just opens up the flexibility of where Spey specifically, but also her sister ship Tamar, can get to in terms of reach. It also just gives us a bit more exposure and a bit more of an opportunity to go and visit some of the places that won't necessarily have been targeted in any other ways.”

Related topics:China