HL Deb 28 June 1999 vol 603 c8WA
Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the total number of British forces committed to Kosovo operations. [HL3242]

Lord Burlison

As of 21 June, some 13,000 UK service personnel were deployed on Kosovo-related operations, as follows:

  • Royal Navy: 880
  • Army: 10,320 (7,300 in Kosovo, 2,900 in Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia and 120 in Albania)
  • RAF: 1,800
The RAF element of the UK contribution to Kosovo operations will be reduced to around 900 as a result of the decision announced yesterday to redeploy all 12 RAF Tornados from Solenzara in Corsica to RAF Bruggen, five VC 10 tankers from Ancona in Italy to RAF Brize Norton and 10 Harrier GR7s from Gioia del Colle in Italy to RAF Wittering. Six GR7s will remain at Gioia del Colle, two Tristars at Ancona and up to three E-3Ds at Aviano in Italy. Nimrod R reconnaissance sorties will continue to be flown, albeit at a reduced frequency. The aircraft withdrawn to their home bases remain available for Kosovo operations if required.