(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
BBC NEWS | UK | Army to scale down Germany troops
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Last Updated: Monday, 24 July 2006, 15:19 GMT 16:19 UK
Army to scale down Germany troops
Adam Ingram
Mr Ingram says the UK will still keep a long-term base in Germany
A large number of British troops could be pulled out of bases in Germany under plans put forward by the government.

Armed forces minister Adam Ingram announced he was considering moving the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (Arrc) headquarters to the UK.

Two of the Arrc's support brigades could also be moved out, he said.

In January it was confirmed that more than 2,000 soldiers would return to Britain from Germany. The UK currently has about 22,000 troops in the country.

"As opportunities arise, the UK will look to rationalise the balance of its estate in Germany," said Mr Ingram.

'Long-term basing'

An Army spokesman said it was not yet known how many troops could return from Germany at the end of the review, because they could be redeployed elsewhere in the country.

Mr Ingram is reviewing the position of Arrc, the 1 Signal Brigade and 102 Logistics Brigade.

He said the review would "ensure that the UK will have the right number of people available in the right place at the right time".

But he added: "With the continued support of the German government, the UK intends to continue the long-term basing of the UK's heavy armoured capability in Germany."

Britain's deployment in Germany is by far its biggest overseas force.




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