Defence

On BIOT’s main island of Diego Garcia there is a joint US-UK defence facility which is of considerable strategic value for US-UK shared security interests and contributes significantly to global security. It allows the US and UK to support operations that demonstrate our shared commitment to regional stability and provide rapid, powerful response in times of humanitarian crisis.

The facility on Diego Garcia has supported counternarcotic efforts, anti-human trafficking efforts, and efforts to counter illegal fishing. Additionally, it has provided a platform for response to environmental disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and the 2013 response to the typhoon in the Philippines. The facility also supported the search and rescue missions in support of Malaysian Flight 370.