Paratroopers for Afghanistan
Huge deployment of paratroopers to be sent to Afghanistan.
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Wednesday, 06, Feb 2008 03:31
A huge deployment of paratroopers will be sent to Afghanistan as part of an effort to bolster Nato's presence there, it is to be announced today.
As the 16 Air Assault brigade assumes control of the UK infantry brigade in the southern Helmand province, all three regular battalions of the Parachute Regiment are to be included in the deployment, it is believed.
The surge, to be announced by defence secretary Des Browne today, would be the biggest joint combat mission undertaken by the paratroopers since the second world war.
However, the total number of British troops stationed in Afghanistan will remain the same at 7,700.
Mr Browne's announcement coincides with a meeting between US secretary of state Condoleeza Rice and the British foreign secretary David Miliband, as Washington puts extra pressure on its European allies to enhance their military presence in Afghanistan.
The pair are expected to discuss appointing a high-level United Nations (UN) envoy to coordinate international strategy in Afghanistan, though Afghan president Hamid Karzai has blocked the appointment of former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown.
While the German government has been criticised by US defence secretary Robert Gates for its refusal to allow its troops to serve in the south of the war-torn country, the Guardian newspaper reports France is ready to increase its deployment.