HC Deb 09 December 1986 vol 107 cc119-20W
Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the annual calendars of notifiable military activities of other participating states which are required to be communicated to him under the provisions of the final document of the Stockholm conference on confidence and security-building measures in Europe.

Mr. Eggar

No. It is for each CSCE participating state to decide whether or not to publish its annual calendar; we have published our calendar today in a response to a question from the hon. Member. We hope other participating states will take similar action.

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the annual calendar of notifiable United Kingdom military activities which is required by the final document of the Stockholm conference on confidence and security-building measures in Europe.

1. Mr. Eggar

The United Kingdom calendar of notifiable military activities is as follows:

Annual Calendar of Military Activities for 1987

Designation: Exercise Cold Winter.

  • Type of Military Activity: Field Training Exercise.
  • General Characteristics and Purpose: To exercise in winter conditions and to practice cooperation between Norwegian and Allied forces.
  • States Involved; United Kingdom, Norway, Netherland, United States.
  • Area of Activity: Norway (North Norway including Ofoten Peninsula, Tjeldoya and Hinnoya).
  • Date and Duration: From 20 March for 6 days.
  • Planned Total Number of Troops: United Kingdom element 4,000.
  • Types of Armed Forces: Amphibious forces.
  • Level of Command: Brigade.
  • Number and Type of Divisions: Amphibious brigade.
  • Other Relevant Information: Involves landing craft and support helicopters.

Designation: Exercise Plain Sailing.

  • Type of Military Activity: Logistic Exercise.
  • General Characteristics and Purpose: To practice setting up of communication.
  • States Involved; United Kingdom, Federal Republic of Germany.
  • Area of Activity: Federal Republic of Germany (Northern Area).
  • Date and Duration: From 4 September for 14 days.
    • 120
  • Planned Total Number of Troops: United Kingdom element 13,500.
  • Types of Armed Forces: Logistic and movement control units plus non-mechanised infantry.
  • Level of Command: Division.
  • Number and Type of Divisions: One infantry division.
  • Other Relevant Information: Being carried out in agreement with the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Designation: Exercise Keystone.

  • Type of Military Activity: Infantry Field Training Exercise.
  • General Characteristics and Purpose: To exercise reinforcement and field operations.
  • States Involved; United Kingdom, Federal Republic of Germany.
  • Area of Activity: Federal Republic of Germany (South-East Neidersachsen).
  • Date and Duration: From 7 October for 20 days.
  • Planned Total Number of Troops: United Kingdom element 24,000.
  • Types of Armed Forces: Non-mechanised infantry.
  • Level of Command: Division.
  • Number and Type of Divisions: Two infantry divisions.
  • Other Relevant Information: Being carried out in agreement with the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Designation: Exercise Purple Warrior.

  • Type of Military Activity: Amphibious and Field Training Exercise.
  • General Characteristics and Purpose: To exercise joint services operations in amphibious and land operations.
  • States Involved; United Kingdom.
  • Area of Activity: Scotland (Galloway, Arran, Kintyre).
  • Date and Duration: From 4 November for 18 days.
  • Planned Total Number of Troops: 10,000 (of which 7,000 will participate in amphibious operations).
  • Types of Armed Forces: Amphibious and airborne forces.
  • Level of Command: Division.
  • Number and Type of Divisions: One reduced division based on two brigades.
  • Other Relevant Information: Will include an airborne assault by up to 1,000 troops.

Addendum to Annual Calendar of

Military Activities for 1987

Activities Within Excess of 40,000 Troops in 1988

Designation: United Kingdom Home Defence Exercises.

  • Type of Military Activity: Home Defence.
  • General Characteristics and Purpose: To exercise military home defence plans.
  • States Involved; United Kingdom.
  • Area of Activity: Throughout United Kingdom.
  • Date and Duration: 7 September to 2 November.
  • Planned Total Number of Troops: May exceed 40,000 at certain times during the period.
  • Types of Armed Forces: Non-mechanised army district units.
  • Level of Command: Military district.
  • Number and Type of Divisions: Not applicable.
  • Other Relevant Information: Troops will not exercise in divisions or equivalent formations but as a series of military district exercises which may overlap.