More UK troops to protect Nato’s northern flank

BRITISH forces are to step up Arctic deployments to protect Nato’s northern flank from Russia, UK defence secretary Gavin Williamson has announced.

He said the Royal Marines are on a 10-year programme that will involve 1,000 troops a year training with their Norwegian counterparts for a brigade-strength deployment.

In addition, he said, Britain’s new fleet of submarine-hunting aircraft will fly over the Arctic next year in its first deployment.

Mr Williamson was visiting Royal Marines conducting winter training at their new base in Bardufoss, Norway, where temperatures reach as low as –30C. He said the new P8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft will fly in the Arctic to counter Russian submarine activity that appears to be back to Cold War levels.