ORAC
6th Feb 2003, 06:21
BBC - Thursday 6 February- Hoon 'to increase Iraq force':
Britain's contribution to the growing forces being manoeuvred in preparation for a possible war against Iraq is significantly larger than the numbers used during the Gulf War. The Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon is expected to announce on Thursday that dozens of additional RAF planes are to be sent to the Gulf and Turkey, ready for action.
He is also expected to announce the deployment of another 6,000 personnel, bringing the UK's overall contribution to almost 40,000.
BBC defence correspondent Paul Adams said the sheer size of the military plans is likely to surprise MPs. He said Mr Hoon is expected to announce that the RAF will increase its presence in the region from 21 aircraft to more than 90 - far more than previously reported.
The "air package" will include as many as 50 attack jets including Tornados, Jaguars and Harriers as well as a variety of other aircraft such as refuelling tankers, early warning and surveillance planes. It is a much bigger force than was sent to the Gulf War and with the array of smart weaponry not available in 1991, it is far more potent.
Paul Adams said that if there is conflict the RAF can be expected to play a significant part in the opening phase of the campaign. He said a key role would be helping to deliver what Pentagon officials describe as an "extremely big bang".
Britain's contribution to the growing forces being manoeuvred in preparation for a possible war against Iraq is significantly larger than the numbers used during the Gulf War. The Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon is expected to announce on Thursday that dozens of additional RAF planes are to be sent to the Gulf and Turkey, ready for action.
He is also expected to announce the deployment of another 6,000 personnel, bringing the UK's overall contribution to almost 40,000.
BBC defence correspondent Paul Adams said the sheer size of the military plans is likely to surprise MPs. He said Mr Hoon is expected to announce that the RAF will increase its presence in the region from 21 aircraft to more than 90 - far more than previously reported.
The "air package" will include as many as 50 attack jets including Tornados, Jaguars and Harriers as well as a variety of other aircraft such as refuelling tankers, early warning and surveillance planes. It is a much bigger force than was sent to the Gulf War and with the array of smart weaponry not available in 1991, it is far more potent.
Paul Adams said that if there is conflict the RAF can be expected to play a significant part in the opening phase of the campaign. He said a key role would be helping to deliver what Pentagon officials describe as an "extremely big bang".