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IRAQ:
FORCE LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
In
my written statement
of 11th April, I said that we would continue to
adjust our forces deployed to the Gulf region as appropriate,
withdrawing units whose tasks are complete, and in due
course replacing those whose tasks continue.
Decisive
combat operations in Iraq are now complete, and coalition
forces are increasingly focussing upon stabilisation
tasks. It will therefore be possible to make further
force level adjustments over the coming weeks while
continuing to meet our responsibilities to the Iraqi
people.
For
maritime forces, the re-deployment of Royal Navy vessels
has proceeded as planned. HMS Ark Royal has now
left the Gulf region and is due to return to the UK
in mid-May accompanied by the destroyer HMS York
and RFA Fort Victoria. In addition, we now plan
to withdraw the helicopter carrier, HMS Ocean,
together with HMS Edinburgh and the Royal Fleet
Auxiliaries Fort Austin, Orangeleaf, Sir
Bedivere and Sir Percivale. The RFAs Sir
Galahad, Sir Tristram, and Bayleaf
are undertaking a rolling programme of maintenance in
Singapore to allow them to return to the Gulf to continue
to provide support to the humanitarian assistance effort.
Further vessels will remain there for the time being
to conduct mine clearance operations and force protection.
As
the need for offensive air operations and close air
support has significantly diminished, we can bring back
further air assets. We have withdrawn around 45 aircraft
from the Gulf region, both fixed and rotary wing, including
Tornado F3 and GR4, Harrier GR7, Nimrod MR2, VC10 and
E-3D aircraft as well as Chinook and Sea King helicopters.
A further 26 helicopters will be withdrawn at the same
time as HMS Ocean.
For
land forces, conditions now allow for the return of
a further 3,500 personnel to the UK. This will include
2nd Royal Tank Regiment and 1st Battalion The Royal
Irish Regiment, with elements of 26 Regiment Royal Artillery,
38 Engineer Regiment and 1st Battalion The Light Infantry.
It will also include a number of individuals who were
attached to a wide variety of ground units and formations
to perform specific augmenting roles. Returning forces
are due a period of post-operational tour leave to which
they are entitled, following which they will begin to
prepare for training and then redeployment on other
important operational taskings. In some cases, this
will mean a return to Iraq to take part in continuing
operations. In addition, we intend to withdraw 3 Commando
Brigade Royal Marines, who were the first of the land
formations to be deployed, during the course of May.
We
will now begin to prepare 19 Mechanised Brigade to take
over from forces previously involved in combat operations
in Iraq, allowing us to meet the continuing task of
providing a stabilisation force within the UK area of
operations. We would expect them to start this new task
in July, commencing preparations immediately.
In
spite of these changes significant pressures remain
on the Armed Forces if they are to meet the full range
of their commitments. In order to meet our continuing
obligations in Iraq, I have authorised the issuing of
further call-out notices, against the Order made in
January under section 54(1) of the Reserve Forces Act
1996, sufficient to generate up to 1,200 reservists.
There will be a requirement to call out further reservists
as the operation proceeds, and I will keep the House
informed of our plans. In parallel, we will be starting
to demobilise those Reserves who are returning home.
In time, the overall numbers of Reserves required in
Iraq will reduce significantly. I have also decided
to extend the tour of the 1st Battalion The Duke of
Wellington's Regiment, enabling them to continue in
their key role of ensuring security in the region of
Az Zubayr.
While
details continue to be clarified, we envisage that by
mid-May 25-30,000 UK Service personnel will remain deployed
in the Gulf region, continuing to fulfil our responsibilities
towards the Iraqi people. The planned replacement of
forces is clear evidence of our commitment to them.
Our
aim is to leave an Iraq that is confident, secure and
fully integrated with the international community. The
planning process to establish the precise level of the
continuing UK presence needed to achieve this aim is
a dynamic one, and is kept under review. We will also
need to take account of the contributions of coalition
partners. We will continue to withdraw assets and personnel
from the region where possible, but we will maintain
an appropriate military presence for as long as necessary.
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