MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Redeployment of HMS Northumberland “no cause of alarm”

BFSA Commander Moulds: "I am confident that the assigned force package is sufficient to meet the task."

The Commander British Forces South Atlantic, Air Commodore Gordon Moulds, was quick to respond to suggestions in the British press that the Falkland Islands would be left undefended by the decision to divert the frigate HMS Northumberland to a European Union counter- piracy mission off the coast of East Africa.

"HMG is fully committed to the defence of the South Atlantic Overseas Territories, which include the Falkland Islands. The frigate is one constituent part of a comprehensive package of air, land and maritime assets that together maintain our deterrence posture on the Islands. "The deterrence force can also be reinforced quickly should the need arise. "As with any UK defence capability, HMG needs to ensure that the capacity exists to deal with any operational requirements that may arise. I am confident that the assigned force package is sufficient to meet the task." HMS Northumberland, which is armed with guided missiles, torpedoes and a Lynx helicopter, was due to begin patrolling duties in the South Atlantic this month. Its place has been taken by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Largs Bay. HMS Northumberland is currently deployed as part of a new European Union task force which is escorting ships of the World Food Aid program into Somalia, as well as taking part in more anti-piracy operations. Before joining the EU task force she was involved in a variety of missions in and around the Gulf of Aden before moving North through the entire length of the Red Sea to Eilat in Israel. This was closely followed by an about turn and a journey all the way back down the Red Sea, through the Gulf of Aden, and down south, totaling approximately 3500 miles give or take a couple of hundred. On the way HMS Northumberland conducted standard Maritime Security operations which revolve around monitoring and disrupting illegal activity (mostly smuggling goods or people the in Red Sea) and reporting on the 'pattern of life'. (PN, RN).-