Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost is of the UK contribution to and involvement in NATO Allied Shield exercises.

NATO's ALLIED SHIELD is a series of four different exercises - BALTOPS, SABER STRIKE, NOBLE JUMP and TRIDENT JOUST. As well as enhancing interoperability, readiness and responsiveness among Allied and partner nations, this series of exercises will provide reassurance to Allies in response to the changing geopolitical security situation in Europe and the threats faced by Allies along NATO's southern and eastern periphery.

For Exercise BALTOPS, a major Allied naval exercise in Polish waters, the UK will provide three Royal Navy vessels: HMS OCEAN, a helicopter carrier (ship's company of some 400); HMS IRON DUKE, a Type 23 frigate (ship's company of 185); and HMS QUORN, a Hunt Class mine countermeasure vessel (ship's company of 40). Deploying with HMS OCEAN will be two Lynx Mk 8, two CH47 Chinook, and four Apache helicopters (some 130 personnel within the Tailored Air Group), and a detachment of Royal Marines of approximately 80 personnel.

For Exercise SABER STRIKE, a significant land exercise in Latvia, the UK will contribute some 170 UK personnel, including the Battle Group Headquarters and an Infantry Company from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles.

The Net Additional Costs of Exercises BALTOPS and SABRE STRIKE are approximately £920,000 and £200,000 respectively.

Ex NOBLE JUMP and TRIDENT JOUST are designed to train the command and control elements of the NATO Response Force that are at high readiness. The UK is not 'rostered' to provide high readiness forces this year and therefore will not be included in these two exercises.