UK increases commitments to NATO

Michael Fallon has announced a package of new contributions to NATO, underlining the UK’s leading role within the Alliance.

As part of a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers, Fallon, who confirmed that the UK will continue spending two per cent of GDP on defence, revealed that the Royal Navy will take the lead of half of NATO’s maritime forces for a year, with the new package also including strengthened cooperation on Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

This means that HMS Duncan will lead NATO’s Standing Maritime Naval Group 2 (SNMG2), providing reassurance and deterrence in the Black Sea, as well as commanding NATO’s counter migration activity in the Mediterranean. HMS Enterprise will also lead Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) from July this year.

Additionally, the Defence Secretary confirmed offensive cyber support to NATO operations and increased UK support for advising the Afghan Government, and its defence and security forces.

The meeting also confirmed that Britain will also continue meeting the target of 20 per cent of defence spend on equipment and capabilities.

Fallon said: “As part of our leadership within the Alliance, we’re stepping up our NATO commitments. Whether it’s in the cyber domain, where I’m committing UK support to NATO operations, or on the high seas with HMS Duncan and HMS Enterprise leading half of the Alliance’s maritime forces in the Mediterranean, the Aegean and the Black Sea, Britain is playing its full part.

“The P-8A aircraft will play a vital role in protecting the UK’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, we’re showing that we’re serious in tackling the threats on NATO’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.”