The UK will deploy a carrier strike group of warships to the Arctic this year, Keir Starmer has announced.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, the prime minister announced the move would be a demonstration of Britain’s commitment to its allies.
He said: “I can announce today that the UK will deploy our carrier strike group to the North Atlantic and the High North this year, led by HMS Prince of Wales, operating alongside the US, Canada and other NATO allies in a powerful show of our commitment to Euro-Atlantic security.”
It comes following US President Donald Trump’s assertion earlier this year that he wants to take over Greenland.
Mr Trump has claimed he does not believe Denmark, of which Greenland is an autonomous territory, does enough to defend it from threats from Russia and China.
The US later walked back from the threats – but the geopolitical climate still looks increasingly precarious.
Russia is continuing to battle it out in Ukraine – a move the prime minister claimed was a “huge strategic blunder”.
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And he pledged his commitment to Article 5, one of NATO’s founding principles.
It spells out that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
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Sir Keir said: “So I say to all NATO members, our commitment to Article 5 is as profound now as ever, and be in no doubt, if called on, the UK would come to your aid today.”
If the article were to be triggered, it could mean thousands of Brits sent to the frontline.
But Sir Keir said we “must be ready to fight” and do whatever “it takes to protect our people, our values and our way of life”.
“As Europe, we must stand on our own two feet,” he added.
“That means being bolder, it means putting away petty politics and short-term concerns. It means acting together to build a stronger Europe and a more European NATO.”
