Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP visited UK forces aboard HMS Prince of Wales alongside Icelandic Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir. The ministry said Iceland provides vital support to allied forces operating from its territory, strengthening security cooperation in the North Atlantic.
UK F-35 jets are patrolling the skies above Iceland and the High North from HMS Prince of Wales. The deployment is intended to help protect NATO allies against increasing Russian threats.
More than 1,500 British personnel are deployed in the region as part of the Carrier Strike Group. They are serving aboard HMS Prince of Wales, the Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan and RFA Tidespring.
“It was an honour to visit our deployed personnel who are conducting operations that help keep our nation and our allies safe,” Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP 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 over the next four years to strengthen readiness and ensure our people have the kit and technology they need,” Jarvis said. “I’m proud of our people and proud of the commitments we’re making to the alliance and to European security.”
“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,” Icelandic Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir said. “NATO continues to strengthen its deterrence and defence, demonstrating Allied unity and resolve in the challenging environment of the North Atlantic and the Arctic. Activities such as Arctic Sentry reflect this shared commitment.”
The visit came as the UK’s Special Operations Forces assumed leadership of the Special Operations Component Command within NATO’s Allied Reaction Force on 1 July. The force is described as the spearhead of the Allied Reaction Force and is able to deploy anywhere in the world within days.
The UK has also assumed command of the maritime component of the Allied Reaction Force, with Rear Admiral Mark Anderson and his battle staff taking up the post. HMS Queen Elizabeth, which recently completed a refit in Rosyth, is preparing to serve as the floating headquarters for the force later this year.
The Carrier Strike Group’s NATO operations come as the Defence Investment Plan confirmed £240 million for the development of new drones to build a Hybrid Carrier Air Wing. The programme includes jet-powered drones intended to operate alongside F-35 fighter jets.
The ministry said British forces are playing a key role in deterring and defending against threats while increasing NATO’s resilience, readiness and unity. More than 1,000 British personnel are serving across NATO command posts, while the UK also leads the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps from its headquarters in Gloucestershire, supported by more than 400 permanent staff from 20 NATO allies.
UK forces remain active on NATO’s frontline, including the 800-strong UK battlegroup in Estonia and Typhoon jets defending the skies over Romania. RAF P-8 Poseidon and Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft are also patrolling the Baltic Sea.
The UK is the only European NATO member to commit its nuclear deterrent in full to the Alliance, according to the ministry. As confirmed in the Defence Investment Plan, the UK will join NATO’s Dual Capable Aircraft nuclear mission with F-35A jets.
The British Army’s 4th Brigade Combat Team supports the UK’s leadership of NATO’s Forward Land Forces in Estonia and is held at high readiness in the UK. The ministry said it is able to rapidly deploy thousands of troops to Estonia at short notice.
The RAF’s UK-based Quick Reaction Alert squadrons are ready around the clock to respond to threats to UK airspace. They are integrated into NATO’s air defence system and help guard NATO’s northern air policing area.
