- NATO air defence operations conducted by F-35 jets from
European aircraft carrier for first time in boost to High North
security.
- Defence Secretary MBE MP visits UK's Carrier
Strike Group off Iceland defending North Atlantic.
- UK takes over command of Special Operations and Maritime
Components of NATO's high-readiness Allied Reaction Force.
Britain's Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, is
helping to defend Europe and the North Atlantic, with F-35 jets
conducting NATO air defence operations from the deck for the
first time.
Defence Secretary MBE MP, accompanied by Icelandic Foreign Minister
Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, visited UK forces onboard the
Royal Navy's flagship HMS Prince of Wales which is deployed off
Iceland under NATO command.
Iceland provides vital support to allied forces operating from
its territory, with this close cooperation boosting security in
the North Atlantic.
UK F-35 jets are patrolling the skies above Iceland and the High
North from HMS Prince of Wales to help protect NATO allies
against increasing Russian threats. This is the first time NATO
has conducted air defence operations from a European aircraft
carrier.
Over 1,500 British personnel on the carrier, Type 45 destroyer
HMS Duncan, and RFA Tidespring, are deployed as part the Carrier
Strike Group (CSG) to the North Atlantic.
The visit by the Defence Secretary comes as elite British troops
are taking command of the Alliance's high readiness special
operations force for the first time.
The UK's Special Operations Forces assumed leadership of the
Special Operations Component Command within NATO's Allied
Reaction Force (ARF) on 1 July. The force is the spearhead of the
ARF, able to deploy anywhere in the world within days.
At the same time, the UK also assumed command of the maritime
component of the ARF with and his battle
staff taking up the post. HMS Queen Elizabeth, having recently
completed a refit in Rosyth, is preparing to serve as the
floating headquarters for the force later this year.
Defence Secretary MBE MP said:
It was an honour to visit our deployed personnel who are
conducting operations that help keep our nation and our allies
safe.
We live in an increasingly dangerous and uncertain time, and it's
deployments like this, supported by allies and partners including
Iceland, that improve our deterrence and defence as part of NATO.
We are investing £298 billion over the next four years to
strengthen readiness and ensure our people have the kit and
technology they need.
I'm proud of our people and proud of the commitments we're making
to the alliance and to European security.
Icelandic Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir
said:
The visit of the UK Carrier Strike Group is a clear demonstration
of NATO's enhanced presence in this strategically important
region, and one that Iceland is proud to support and contribute
to.
NATO continues to strengthen its deterrence and defence,
demonstrating Allied unity and resolve in the challenging
environment of the North Atlantic and the Arctic. Activities such
as Arctic Sentry reflect this shared commitment.
The Carrier Strike Group work on NATO air defence operations
comes as the Defence Investment Plan confirmed that £240 million
is being invested in the development of new drones to build a
Hybrid Carrier Air Wing, including jet-powered drones to work
alongside F-35 fighter jets.
British forces are playing a vital role to deter and defend,
increasing NATO's resilience, readiness, and unity.
There are over 1,000 British personnel across NATO command posts,
while the UK also leads the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC)
from its HQ in Gloucestershire with more than 400 permanent staff
from 20 NATO allies.
UK forces also remain on the frontline of defending NATO from the
800-strong UK battlegroup in Estonia, to the Typhoon jets
defending the skies over Romania, and the RAF P-8 Poseidon and
Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft patrolling the Baltic Sea.
The UK is the only European NATO member to commit its nuclear
deterrent in full to the Alliance and as confirmed in the Defence
Investment Plan, will join NATO's Dual Capable Aircraft nuclear
mission with F-35A jets.
Supporting the UK's leadership of NATO's Forward Land Forces in
Estonia is the British Army's 4th Brigade Combat Team, which is
held at high readiness in the UK, able to rapidly deploy
thousands of troops to Estonia at short notice
The RAF's UK-based Quick Reaction Alert squadrons
ready 24/7 to respond to threats to UK airspace are
integrated into NATO's air defence system and help guard NATO's
northern air policing area.
