About 18,000 British Troops Already in Gulf

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, February 20, 2003

About 18,000 British Troops Already in Gulf

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About 18,000 British troops have been deployed in the Gulf for a possible US-led military action, with the rest of an announced total of 42,000 troops still on their way to the region, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense told Xinhua on Wednesday.

Approximately 8,000 ground troops and about 2,000 Royal Air Force personnel have already been in the Gulf region, the spokesman said.

All 8,000 Royal Navy personnel, including 4,000 Royal Marine commandos, have meanwhile been deployed as part of a 16-ship task force that includes the aircraft carrier Ark Royal, several destroyers, frigates and a submarine.

Britain, the staunchest US ally on disarming Iraq by force if necessary, has announced that it will send about 26,000 land troops, 8,000 RAF personnel and 8,000 Navy troops to the Gulf for a possible war with Iraq.

The British deployment in the Gulf would also include 27 helicopters, 120 Challenger II tanks and some 100 fixed-wing aircraft.

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