Nato force commitment extended

The UK commitment to a rapid reaction force being set up by Nato is to be extended by three years, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said.

Fallon told the BBC's Andrew Marr show 1,000 troops would be sent next year and 3,000 in 2017, chiefly in response to the threat posed by Russia.

He accused Vladimir Putin of "sabre-rattling" and said it was important for the UK to commit to Nato's mission.

Tory backbenchers and US officials have expressed concerns at UK defence cuts.

On President Putin, Fallon told the BBC: "He's clearly building up his conventional forces, he's modernising his nuclear weapons.

"So it is sabre rattling and that's why we have to continue to strengthen Nato, offer Nato more reassurance through these larger scale exercises.

"We're doing our bit, but it's very important we send Putin this message that we are determined in our commitment to the collective defence of Nato."

After 1,000 troops are sent next year and 3,000 the year after, a battle group will be committed in each year after that until 2021, Mr Fallon said.

In addition to this, he said UK Typhoons currently flying over the Baltic would be sent back next year.

A demand from the chancellor for a further £500m in Ministry of Defence cuts has fuelled worries that the UK may drop below Nato's target of spending 2% of GDP on defence.

When pressed on whether the UK would continue to meet that target, Mr Fallon said: "We can't set the budget on this programme, we set the budget in September, then you'll have your answer.