The British bases in Cyprus included in new London defence strategy

Defence Redefined

16/03/2021

“Significant investment in the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus will assure our ability to contribute to security, with allies, in Eastern Mediterranean”, stated the report of Global Britain in a Competitive Age, the Integrated Review on UK foreign policy, defence and security.

As part of London’s new defence strategy for 2030, the presence of British forces abroad is gaining in importance.

The bases in Cyprus are included in the plan to create “more solid overseas foundations” by investing in “strategic hubs”, in order to give the British forces “reach, access, influence and insight.”

Along with the facilities and infrastructure at the bases in Cyprus, an upgrade of the British presence in Gibraltar, Germany, Oman, Singapore and Kenya is planned.

The Integrated Review envisages, among other things, an increase in the limit of available nuclear warheads from 180 to 260, a reversal in the course of restricting the country’s nuclear arsenal after the end of the Cold War.

It includes a greater emphasis on foreign policy in Indo-Pacific countries such as Japan, South Korea, India and Australia, which have been described as “growth engines”.

It also envisions a more robust position in defence against the “systemic provocation” posed by China, but also an effort to work with Beijing on issues such as climate change.

A new coordination center for terrorist attacks, warning that a terrorist attack in Britain with biological, chemical or nuclear weapons is possible by 2030, as well as a new cyber defence command are also being set up.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson aims to make Britain a “scientific and technological superpower” by 2030.

Presenting the report to the MPs, Mr. Johnson stated that, following Brexit, the UK is obliged to ‘engage’ in competition with countries with “contrasting values”.

He emphasized that the UK’s commitment to NATO and to peace has remained firm.

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Source: CNA