Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 17 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy - Public Summary, what is the UK’s “persistent military forward presence” in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In the South Atlantic, Defence maintains two overseas bases on Ascension Island and Falkland Islands. This enables a defensive military posture delivered through the presence of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands.

The Royal Navy’s Ice Patrol Ship, HMS PROTECTOR, routinely deploys to the Antarctic Peninsula. RAF transport aircraft also periodically delivers logistics to British Antarctic Survey and conducts overflights.

In the Caribbean, a Royal Naval ship maintains a persistent presence and contributes to maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as necessary during the hurricane season, and wider defence diplomacy. While the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) provides a training location for the Army.

This range of activity is aligned with priorities set out in the Defence Diplomacy Strategy and underpinned by the presence of six Defence Sections who represent Defence and support wider UK interests through the development of close relationships with nations and the provision of expert advice.