UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has visited Iceland amid “increasing Russian threats” as NATO conducted air defence operations from a European aircraft carrier for the first time.
Jarvis visited UK forces onboard the Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Prince of Wales, which is deployed off Iceland under NATO command, with F-35 jets conducting NATO air defence operations from the deck for the first time.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the visit comes as “elite British troops are taking command of the Alliance’s high readiness special operations force for the first time” to “help protect Nato allies against increasing Russian threats.”
Jarvis told Channel 4 News: “We should be clear-eyed about the fact that the threat from Russia exists in every domain, under the water, on the water, on the land, in the sky, in space and in cyberspace as well.”
Discussing defence spending by NATO nations, Jarvis said that “some of what the Americans have said in recent times is absolutely right” and “Europe does need to step up.”
The defence secretary added: “We must honour the commitments that we’ve made to our Nato allies. That’s why we will be spending 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035.”
Jarvis said likely next prime minister Andy Burnham “understands the importance of defending our nation” and will make sure “we’ve got the resources we need to keep the country safe.”
The defence secretary was accompanied by Icelandic foreign minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir on the visit.
The MoD said Iceland provides “vital support to allied forces operating from its territory, with this close cooperation boosting security in the North Atlantic.”
More than 1,500 British personnel on the HMS Prince of Wales carrier, Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan, and RFA Tidespring, are deployed as part of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to the North Atlantic.
The UK’s Special Operations Forces assumed leadership of the Special Operations Component Command within NATO’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF) on July 1.
The MoD said the force is the “spearhead of the ARF, able to deploy anywhere in the world within days.”
Jarvis said: “We live in an increasingly dangerous and uncertain time, and it’s deployments like this, supported by allies and partners including Iceland, that improve our deterrence and defence as part of Nato.”
“We are investing £298 billion [$398 billion] over the next four years to strengthen readiness and ensure our people have the kit and technology they need.”
The United Kingdom has also assumed command of the maritime component of the ARF with Rear Admiral Mark Anderson and his battle staff taking up the post.
The MoD said HMS Queen Elizabeth, having recently completed a refit in Rosyth, Scotland, is preparing to serve as the floating headquarters for the force later this year.
Gunnarsdottir said: “The visit of the UK Carrier Strike Group is a clear demonstration of Nato’s enhanced presence in this strategically important region, and one that Iceland is proud to support and contribute to.”
“Nato continues to strengthen its deterrence and defence, demonstrating allied unity and resolve in the challenging environment of the North Atlantic and the Arctic.”
There are more than 1,000 British personnel across NATO command posts, while the UK also leads the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) from its HQ in Gloucestershire with more than 400 permanent staff from 20 NATO allies.