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| Nato force commitment extended, says defence secretary | Nato force commitment extended, says defence secretary |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The UK commitment to a rapid reaction force being set up by Nato is to be extended by three years, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said. | The UK commitment to a rapid reaction force being set up by Nato is to be extended by three years, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said. |
| Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, he said about 1,000 troops will now serve until 2021 to defend Europe against the threat posed chiefly by Russia. | Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, he said about 1,000 troops will now serve until 2021 to defend Europe against the threat posed chiefly by Russia. |
| The boost showed ministers were determined to do "whatever it takes" to keep the country safe, Mr Fallon said. | The boost showed ministers were determined to do "whatever it takes" to keep the country safe, Mr Fallon said. |
| Tory backbenchers and US officials have expressed concerns at UK defence cuts. | |
| A demand from the chancellor for a further £500m in Ministry of Defence cuts has fuelled worries that the UK may drop below Nato's target of spending 2% of GDP on defence. | A demand from the chancellor for a further £500m in Ministry of Defence cuts has fuelled worries that the UK may drop below Nato's target of spending 2% of GDP on defence. |
| BBC News political correspondent Chris Mason said the defence secretary was attempting to strike back against critics. | BBC News political correspondent Chris Mason said the defence secretary was attempting to strike back against critics. |
| Bur our correspondent said Mr Fallon also knows that the pressure to do more for less is not likely to go away. | Bur our correspondent said Mr Fallon also knows that the pressure to do more for less is not likely to go away. |
| 'Diplomacy and engagement' | 'Diplomacy and engagement' |
| In his article, Mr Fallon pointed out the UK defence budget at £34bn a year was the fifth biggest in the world. | In his article, Mr Fallon pointed out the UK defence budget at £34bn a year was the fifth biggest in the world. |
| He also highlighted the UK's involvement in tackling Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq, training it has undertaken in Afghanistan and Ukraine, and its aid efforts in Sierra Leone and Nepal. | He also highlighted the UK's involvement in tackling Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq, training it has undertaken in Afghanistan and Ukraine, and its aid efforts in Sierra Leone and Nepal. |
| "No country in Europe is playing such a strong global role," he said. | "No country in Europe is playing such a strong global role," he said. |
| "This step-up in our international defence effort is needed because the world is becoming a darker place." | "This step-up in our international defence effort is needed because the world is becoming a darker place." |
| Mr Fallon added that "those who belittle our armed forces' efforts fail to recognise that our national security depends on tackling the causes of instability, not just treating the symptoms. | Mr Fallon added that "those who belittle our armed forces' efforts fail to recognise that our national security depends on tackling the causes of instability, not just treating the symptoms. |
| "It means using our soft power, diplomacy and engagement, to help weaker countries build stronger institutions and law enforcement, and to promote women's rights. | "It means using our soft power, diplomacy and engagement, to help weaker countries build stronger institutions and law enforcement, and to promote women's rights. |
| "It means using smart power, our better-focused development budget, on conflict prevention and stabilisation as well as on disease and suffering. Defence and international development are two sides of the same coin: well-focused aid helps protect Britain's security in the longer term." | "It means using smart power, our better-focused development budget, on conflict prevention and stabilisation as well as on disease and suffering. Defence and international development are two sides of the same coin: well-focused aid helps protect Britain's security in the longer term." |
| The British Army is already undergoing a 20% reduction in regular troop numbers, from 102,000 in 2010 to 82,000 in 2020. | |
| This is to be accompanied by a rise in the number of reservists, from 24,000 to 30,000. | |
| The Royal Navy and the RAF are both preparing to lose 5,000 regulars and gain 500 reservists over the same period. | |
| In March, the US Army's most senior general spoke publicly about his fears of a shrinking British commitment to defence. | In March, the US Army's most senior general spoke publicly about his fears of a shrinking British commitment to defence. |
| And when US President Obama discussed the UK's defence budget with David Cameron this month, he pressed him to enable Britain to meet the Nato target. | And when US President Obama discussed the UK's defence budget with David Cameron this month, he pressed him to enable Britain to meet the Nato target. |
| Mr Fallon said the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review would examine the threats the UK faced "and the capabilities we need to tackle them". | Mr Fallon said the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review would examine the threats the UK faced "and the capabilities we need to tackle them". |