Iceland Becomes 10th Member Of UK-Led Joint Expeditionary Force

Iceland has become the 10th member of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

The group of nations commits to upholding security in northern Europe.

Iceland joins Britain, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden in the JEF.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Iceland's Ambassador to the UK, Sturla Sigurjónsson, today signed a Note of Joining, as part of the formal process.

The JEF's newest member will come with a deep understanding of the North Atlantic and High North landscapes, as well as civilian expertise, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said.

Mr Wallace said: "I'm delighted to welcome Iceland into the Joint Expeditionary Force. As a group of northern European democracies with shared values and committed to a collective response to threats to Euro-Atlantic security, it is natural for us to stand shoulder to shoulder with Iceland."

Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Co-operation, said: "We are pleased to be joining the JEF group of like-minded countries for a deeper regional consultation and co-operation on security and defence, as well as on possible coordinated civil emergency and humanitarian assistance.

"Iceland looks forward to engaging in a more comprehensive strategic dialogue within JEF and an eventual contribution on a civilian basis."

Iceland's relationship with Britain on defence and security is growing, the MOD said. In 2019, the Royal Air Force patrolled over the country for the first time since the Second World War, on NATO's Icelandic Air Policing mission.

Cover image: MOD.