Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has authorised the deployment of HMS Mersey to the Aegean in support of NATO activity to counter migration.
The move extends the UK’s contribution to NATO and its commitment to tackle illegal people trafficking and migration in the Aegean Sea. The announcement arrives as Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary general, declared that international effort had decreased numbers crossing the borders by 90 per cent.
Fallon said: “British ships have been at the forefront of the progress made in the Aegean – helping to disrupt people trafficking routes and save lives. We must now continue to focus on stopping this trade in human misery for good.”
HMS Mersey will provide the NATO team with enhanced ability to work closer to the shore line and greater agility. The ship will deploy to the Aegean from the Caribbean where it was previously involved in counter narcotic operations.
