Member

Thirdly, I want to reflect on some of the highlights of that service that have occurred since we renewed the continuation order last year. By mid-2024, our Armed Forces had trained more than 45,000 Ukrainian personnel as part of Operation Interflex. The Army’s Watchkeeper uncrewed air system has been operating in Estonia, demonstrating its ability to help protect NATO’s borders. The Royal Navy has done us all proud in its operations in the Red Sea, continuing to protect vital merchant shipping routes by shooting down drones launched by Houthi rebels. HMS “Prince of Wales” has demonstrated its immense power capabilities through Exercise Strike Warrior ahead of its deployment as leader of the UK’s carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific region next year, and our Royal Air Force and the Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team this year led the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden. That is why we rely on and have such pride in our Armed Forces.