Defence Secretary steps up UK commitments to NATO
Sir Michael Fallon has announced a package of new contributions to NATO, underlining the UK바카라 사이트™s leading role within the Alliance.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon
At a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers today, the Defence Secretary confirmed:
- The Royal Navy will take the lead of half of NATO바카라 사이트™s maritime forces for a year.
- Offensive cyber support to NATO operations.
- Increased UK support for advising the Afghan 바카라 사이트, and its defence and security forces.
- Strengthened cooperation on Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
The meeting also confirmed that Britain continues to meet its commitment of spending 2% of GDP on defence, as well as meeting the target of 20% defence spend on equipment and capabilities.
Leading NATO바카라 사이트™s maritime forces
HMS Duncan, a state of the art Type 45 Destroyer, will lead NATO바카라 사이트™s Standing Maritime Naval Group 2 (SNMG2), providing reassurance and deterrence in the Black Sea, as well as commanding NATO바카라 사이트™s counter migration activity in the Mediterranean. The naval force will also exercise together to improve the Alliance바카라 사이트™s readiness and ability to work together on operations, as well as conducting port visits in the region, including to Ukraine.
HMS Enterprise will also lead Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) from July this year. The Mine Countermeasures Group is a multinational, integrated maritime force, made up of vessels from a number of NATO countries. The group is mainly based in the Mediterranean and is capable of searching for and disposing of explosive ordnance. HMS Enterprise will be the flagship for the force, and will be joined by HMS Pembroke in the second half of 2017.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
As part of our leadership within the Alliance, we바카라 사이트™re stepping up our NATO commitments. Whether it바카라 사이트™s in the cyber domain, where I바카라 사이트™m committing UK support to NATO operations, or on the high seas with HMS Duncan and HMS Enterprise leading half of the Alliance바카라 사이트™s maritime forces in the Mediterranean, the Aegean and the Black Sea, Britain is playing its full part.
Strengthening cooperation on Maritime Patrol Aircraft
On the margins of today바카라 사이트™s meeting, Sir Michael signed a Statement of Intent on North Atlantic Maritime Patrol with his US and Norwegian counterparts. The agreement enhances collaboration on each nation바카라 사이트™s P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft programmes and will provide NATO Allies with multiple benefits in the maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine areas.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
The P-8A aircraft will play a vital role in protecting the UK바카라 사이트™s nuclear deterrent, the two new Queen Elizabeth Class carriers and supporting our NATO Allies.
By investing in these aircraft, as part of our £178 billion defence equipment programme, we바카라 사이트™re showing that we바카라 사이트™re serious in tackling the threats on NATO바카라 사이트™s North Atlantic flank.
And in stepping up our cooperation with the US and Norway on maritime patrol around our shores, we will help keep Britain safer and more secure.
Stepping up to counter terror around the world
The Defence Secretary also confirmed today that Britain is stepping up its support to Afghanistan, with around 85 extra service personnel to support NATO바카라 사이트™s mission in the country.
Britain has an enduring commitment to Afghanistan, and supporting the 바카라 사이트 and the Afghan National Security and Defence Forces (ANDSF) helps to prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for terror.
The increase of UK personnel comes in response to a NATO request, which was made to all partner nations, for additional troops to support the Alliance바카라 사이트™s train, advise and assist mission in the country.
The additional troops will continue to work in non-combat roles mentoring the Afghan Army and Police, the Afghan Air Force, and will provide further support to the ANDSF in training and leadership development.
Underlining Britain바카라 사이트™s leadership within NATO, the uplift will add to the already significant contribution of 500 troops the UK already makes to NATO바카라 사이트™s Resolute Support Mission.
Endgame for Daesh in Mosul
Three years on since the start of the so-called caliphate was proclaimed in Mosul, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon underlined that Daesh faces its endgame in the city where it originally launched its ideological campaign of terror and violence.
Sir Michael said that the terrorist group faces irreversible momentum and progress from local forces on the ground, and UK and Coalition aircraft in the skies. UK aircrew have now hit over 700 targets in support of operations to liberate Mosul since last year. In addition to operations over Mosul, the RAF has so far struck 69 targets in and around Raqqa in support of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) advancing on the city from the north, east and west.
With Daesh losing ground on two fronts in Mosul and Raqqa, around 70% of territory once controlled by the terror group in Iraq and 51% in Syria, has now been liberated. This amounts to over 4 million Iraqis and Syrians who have been freed from Daesh tyranny.