When Italy’s flagship Cavour aircraft carrier sailed into Yokosuka Naval Base in late August — its first-ever visit to Japan — the scene heralded what Rome’s envoy to Tokyo described as a “new era” in bilateral relations.

The Italians aren’t the only Europeans making their presence felt, however.

The visit highlighted a growing trend: Europe’s largest nations are flocking to the Indo-Pacific in an attempt to expand security cooperation with regional partners and increase their military footprints.