UK soft power display in Singapore anchors Marina Bay skyline berth
The decision by a
British carrier strike group to dock at a civilian cruise centre instead of a naval base in
Singapore during a visit has put into focus London's priority on soft power and public outreach in the region amid conflict in the Middle East.
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With the city state's iconic skyline as a backdrop, the 284-metre-long, 80,000-tonne HMS Prince of Wales became the first warship to dock at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre on Monday for its first port of call as part of its eight-month deployment for Operation Highmast.
While experts told This Week in Asia that the main trade-off of not berthing at Changi Naval Base was the extensive security measures offered, the decision showed London's desire for soft power projection.
'I believe the UK assesses the security risk is low, and London places higher priority on soft power projection and high publicity, and to create greater awareness of the UK's defence contributions to Southeast Asia,' said Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow in the Southeast Asia Programme at the Lowy Institute.
He noted that sufficient security measures would be in place at the cruise centre, with Singapore's defence ministry and authorities ensuring the security of the carrier while it is docked at Marina Bay Cruise Centre.
The UK's HMS Prince of Wales arrives at Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre on Monday. It will host a range of activities including public tours and a defence and security expo. Photo: British High Commission Singapore
British High Commissioner to Singapore Nikesh Mehta explained during a media briefing last Thursday that the choice of the civilian centre was centred on visibility and accessibility, and to have 'one of the world's most advanced warships sitting against one of the most iconic skylines in the world'.
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