Britain to send four jets to Romania ‘to boost security commitment’
BRITAIN WILL boost its commitment to European security “in the face of an increasingly assertive Russia” by sending four jets to Romania, the new Defence Secretary has announced.
Former chief whip Gavin Williamson will commit four RAF Typhoons to the southern air policing mission in Romania next summer, while speaking at the Nato defence ministerial meeting in Brussels.
The fast jets will be redeployed to the country working with the UK’s Romanian allies to police the Black Sea skies after a stint last summer, the Ministry of Defence said.
Mr Williamson will also say the UK is preparing to increasing its presence in the Western Balkans.
The MoD said that in addition to the troops already based in Kosovo and Britain’s contribution to the EU’s Op Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 2018 a battalion will be held at “high readiness to respond to any situation in the region” which would see 600 soldiers ready to go into the region at short notice.
Mr Williamson said: “In the face of an increasingly assertive Russia, the UK has significantly stepped up its commitment to Europe and today I can confirm a further package of support, showing how we remain at the forefront on European security.”
The elevation of Theresa May’s chief whip to Cabinet rank at the age of 41 without ever having held ministerial office sparked a wave of indignation among Tory ranks following the departure of Sir Michael Fallon.
Scarborough-born Mr Williamson yesterday dismissed suggestions that he advised the Prime Minister to remove Sir Michael so he could take the job, saying that Mrs May “makes her own decisions”.