NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners should cooperate to increase...

NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners should cooperate to increase arms output

NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners should cooperate to increase arms output | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au)



NATO’s four Indo-Pacific partners are Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, collectively called the IP4 (and until recently known as the Asia-Pacific partners, or AP4). The grouping is loose and informal and based on shared geopolitical outlooks. The AP4 countries have all responded firmly against the war in Ukraine and are making efforts to limit Russia’s aggression that are laudable, given their distance from the conflict. They also share similar interests in their own region, with Australia, New Zealand and South Korea supporting Japan’s ambition for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

apan has eased its restrictive export regime to indirectly supply Ukraine with domestically made Patriot systems. It is also considering easing restrictions on exporting explosives needed for artillery shells. Australia is likewise looking to increase its defense production over the long term, including missile development cooperation with the US. South Korea has increased its arms exports to Europe, and sees the trend continuing. New Zealand is small and has a very limited defence industry, but its potential, could be used optimally by coordinating with NATO and the rest of the IP4.