- British troops deploy to Bosnia and Herzegovina to train
alongside the Armed Forces of BiH and E5 partners
- E5 Defence Ministers meet in Berlin in boost to European and
NATO security one year on from the group's first meeting.
- UK deployment to Belgium extended as soldiers develop
counter-drone operations with Finland.
Britain is stepping up to support security across Europe with new
deployments to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Finland, including
counter-drone expertise.
At a meeting of Defence leaders from the UK, France, Germany,
Italy and Poland met in Berlin today the Defence Secretary also
announced an extension to counter-drone specialist support to
Belgium, following recent drone threats.
Speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by EU High
Representative Kaja Kallas, Defence Secretary announced that British troops
from 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment have
deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina to train alongside the Armed
Forces of BiH. All E5 partner are involved in the deployment
which will boost security and stability on the region.
The deployment will focus on infantry tactics, leadership, and
chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defence,
improving interoperability with NATO and contributing to security
and resilience across the Western Balkans. The UK played a
leading role in helping to bring peace to the Western Balkans
during the conflicts of the 1990s, when 72 members of the British
Armed Forces gave their lives to help restore stability. That
commitment to regional stability remains as strong as ever today.
The UK continues to work to develop counter-drone operations with
allies and partners across Europe, and this month members of the
UK's 12 Regiment Royal Artillery have deployed to Finland for
Exercise Mallet Strike – including live firing Starstreak
missiles to take out drones.
The Defence Secretary also announced the extension of the
deployment of counter-drone specialists to support Belgium
following recent drone threats. UK Armed Forces rapidly deployed
last weekend, following a similar deployment to Denmark in
September.
Defence Secretary MP said:
“A new era of threat requires a new era for defence, which is why
the UK is stepping up alongside European partners to deter
aggression and invest in security.
“From counter-drone and air policing operations to exercises with
allies, we are ensuring Britain is secure at home and strong
abroad.”
The Defence Secretary set out some of the further UK Armed Forces
activity across Europe with E5 partners, including Exercise
Gaulish with France, Exercise Falcon Strike with Italy, and
NATO's Eastern Sentry Air policing operation to protect Poland's
airspace.
The group, known as the E5, which first met a year ago, brings
together Europe's biggest defence spenders to cooperate and
bolster security across the continent.
Defence leaders also discussed defence industry and growing
cooperation to innovate together to tackle growing and emerging
threats.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The training exercise in Bosnia and Herzegovina builds on the
UK's wide-ranging support to BiH, which includes £1 million to
support NATO's Defence Capacity Building (DCB) package for BiH.
With UK support, officers in NATO HQ Sarajevo will lead work to
strengthen BiH's emergency care and medical evacuation capability
as well as Defence education, defence reform and Women Peace and
security. Building on the work from the recent UK hosted Berlin
Process Western Balkans Summit.
