U.S. and Royal Navies Unite with Marine Corps to Forge Future Seapower Strategy at 10th Anniversary Summit

In a pivotal meeting at the Pentagon, key figures from the U.S. and U.K. naval forces gathered to reaffirm their shared commitment to maritime collaboration. Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Royal Navy’s First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Adm. Sir Ben Key, and U.S. Marine Corps Deputy Commandant, Lt. Gen. James Bierman Jr. engaged in discussions on the strategic “Delivering Combined Seapower” (DCS) charter on October 30.

The DCS charter represents a critical facet of the bilateral US-UK maritime relationship. First introduced in 2014, it aims to bolster cooperation and interoperability between the two nations’ naval forces. Adm. Key expressed his determination to enhance this cooperation during his Washington visit, underscoring the importance of maintaining security and stability on the world’s oceans.

With over a century of collaborative history, the Royal Navy’s alignment with U.S. forces remains strong. The Pentagon meeting allowed the leaders to emphasize their mutual objectives for increased interchangeability and operational harmony. Discussions zeroed in on four major areas: carrier strike capabilities, underwater dominance, littoral operations, and future integrated warfare—highlighting advancements in Live, Virtual, and Constructive training and the use of autonomous systems.

The talks also touched on strategic goals outlined in CNO’s Navigation Plan and the Commandant’s Planning Guidance, which align with the goals of fostering UK-US naval cooperation. A notable upcoming event is the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2025, joining U.S. forces to boost regional security.

Adm. Franchetti emphasized the critical nature of the U.S.-UK relationship in today’s global environment, noting that collaboration ensures these forces will never operate alone. This unity serves as a deterrent to adversaries and enhances collective defense capabilities.

This commitment was further solidified last year when a first-ever “Azimuth Check” meeting introduced the Marine Corps to the tri-service agreement, underscoring a new level of integration. Lt. Gen. Bierman highlighted the necessity of joint operations and training to adapt to evolving threats and maintain a robust combined naval force.

Together, U.S. and U.K. naval forces continue to operate worldwide, dedicated to upholding maritime interests and supporting a rules-based international order.