RAF To Deploy To Iceland And Estonia

The Royal Air Force will deploy to Estonia and Iceland next year as part of NATO Air Policing, the Defence Secretary has announced. 

Gavin Williamson made the announcement as NATO Defence Ministers gather for the first time in the alliance's new headquarters in Brussels.

It will be the first time the RAF have deployed to Iceland for NATO Air Policing.

Mr Williamson said: "The reason for this, as we live in a more uncertain world, is to make sure that we demonstrate a clear deterrent and the fact that Britain is willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies as they stand with us."

Four Typhoon jets will go to Estonia mid-2019, with a further four deploying to Iceland towards the end of next year.

RAF personnel are currently deployed in Romania on NATO Air Policing duties. They were last in Estonia in 2016.

Across the next two days, NATO Defence Ministers will discuss fighting terrorism, defence spending and NATO's Readiness Initiative - the 'Four Thirties'.

It is the last ministerial before a NATO summit in early July. 

Known as '30-30-30-30', the plan would require NATO to have 30 land battalions, 30 air fighter squadrons and 30 ships ready to deploy within 30 days of being put on alert.

When asked about the UK's involvement in this plan, Mr Williamson said we would be a vital contributor but so far no numbers have been agreed.

The Defence Secretary discusses the UK's "vital contribution" to '30-30-30-30':