The UK MoD has extended its commitment to supporting the fight against extremism and terrorism in the Sahel region according to a 12 June statement.
Three RAF CH-47D Chinook helicopters and 100 personnel will remain in Mali to support French counterterrorism operations until additional troops arrive later this year.
An additional 250 British personnel will be deployed to Gao to support the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the West African country. This will include troops from the Light Dragoons and the Royal Anglican Regiment who will provide long range reconnaissance capabilities whilst offering a greater awareness of possible threats to both military and civilians.
James Heappey, Minister for the Armed Forces, said: ‘Combating extremism in the Sahel is vital for the security of the wider region and the UK will play it’s part tackling the declining security situation.’
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Any potential ‘Arctic Sentry’ mission would be months in the planning, but with tensions high in the region given the US’s push for Greenland, NATO countries will need to continue to emphasise their commitment to the region, analysts have said.
Defence Minister Gen Vladimir Padrino López has declared that the Venezuelan armed forces “will continue to employ all its available capabilities for military defence”.
The UK’s defence spending commitments remain uncertain as the government’s Defence Investment Plan, which had been due by the end of 2025, is yet to be published.
Disruption of infrastructure in Europe, whether by cyberattack, physical damage to pipelines or uncrewed aerial vehicles flying over major airports, as has happened more recently, is on the rise. What is the most effective way of countering the aerial aspect of this not-so-open warfare?
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
Ireland’s multi-annual investment in capital defence spending is set to rise from €300m in 2026 to €360m in 2029–2030 with major upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.
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