Chief of Defence Staff Praises British Armed Forces' Fight Against Daesh

The Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, says the UK will be vigilant against any Russian threat- but also needs to engage with Moscow.

He made the comments during a visit to RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.

And as a former Tornado Navigator Sir Stuart was in familiar surroundings, visiting RAF servicemen and women deployed on operations against Islamic State.

He said Op Shader has been a success, but is not yet over:

"Daesh is much diminished - still dangerous, but much diminished. The British Armed Forces have played a huge role in that reduction in Daesh’s capability."

Over Christmas, the MoD reported an upsurge in Russian naval activity off the coast of Britain.

HMS St Albans was called upon to escort the Admiral Gorshkov as it headed for the Baltic.

Sir Stuart’s response was to say that Russia needed to be deterred, but with caution:

“When it’s appropriate to do so, we need to talk to Russia - but right now we need to be vigilant, and understand that deterrence is a real mission."

As well as RAF Akrotiri, Sir Stuart visited troops stationed on Troodos Mountain and at Ayios Nikolaos in the eastern Sovereign Base Area.

He also met his Cypriot counterpart to discuss defence cooperation and the island’s vital importance to the UK military.