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Armed Forces: Deployment

Answer

The endorsed force levels for UK military operations are set out in the following table by location.

Location	Endorsed number (at 26 October 2009)¹
Afghanistan	²9,500
Iraq	³100
At sea	41,050
Falklands/South Atlantic	1,500
Qatar	250
Cyprus	300
Kuwait	5<50
Kosovo	<50
Bahrain	6150
Oman	150
Bosnia	<50
Other6	100
¹ Rounded to 50.
² On 14 October 2009, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, announced an increase in the number of troops deployed on Operation Herrick to 9,500. This new force level will be put into effect once three conditions are met: the Afghan Government demonstrates its commitment to bring forward the Afghan troops to be trained and to fight alongside our forces; UK troops are fully equipped for the operations they are asked to undertake; and that our commitment is part of an agreed approach across the international coalition, with all countries bearing their fair share.
³ On 15 June 2009, Official Report, column 21, the Prime Minister set out for Parliament, the current number of UK military personnel we expect to remain in Iraq to conduct Navy training and Maritime support after the withdrawal of the bulk of our forces from southern Iraq and Baghdad. The UK/Iraq agreement has been ratified by the Presidency Council, and upon exchange of diplomatic notes between the UK and Iraq Governments, the UK will reinsert up to 100 personnel into Iraq to deliver its mandate.
4 Numbers at sea in support of Operations Telic and Calash.
5 In support of UK's mandate in Iraq.
6 Small scale deployments in support of EU and UN missions, headquarters liaison officers and capacity building activities.

The precise number of personnel in each theatre fluctuates on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including mid-tour rest and recuperation, temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces, visits and a range of other factors. We do not therefore publish actual figures for personnel deployed in theatre.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

498 c1147-8W; 289123

Session

2008-09

Subjects

Armed forces Deployment

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk