Claims UK not ready to take over Nato Response Force 'just bollocks', Defence Secretary says
The Defence Secretary has said reports in the German media that Nato chiefs have asked Germany to stay in charge of the organisation's rapid reaction force instead of handing over to the UK are "just bollocks".
The UK is due to take over the leadership of the Nato Response Force (NRF) from Germany at the end of the year.
However, reports in the German media claim that Nato has asked Berlin to remain in charge for an extra year because of depleting British reserves.
Ben Wallace told BBC Breakfast: "The story of Germany, it's just bollocks, right?
"I mean, to be honest, the simple reality is Nato leadership did not approach anybody.
"We are taking over the NRF as scheduled and it's interesting that story is based on a source on a German website I've never heard of.
"The key here is to make sure that our forces are at readiness, and our forces are modernised and, on that subject, I've been very clear that, you know, defence for the last 30 years was hollowed out."
Mr Wallace said forces across the continent were paying the price for years of under-investment that has seen ammunition stocks depleted, readiness levels reduced and essential maintenance neglected.
He added: "And we needed to address that, that's why we got £16bn extra and a £24bn pound increase in 2020.
"But we're not any less ready than others, we just have to make sure we start getting back to investing in defence properly," he added.
Mr Wallace's comments come as defence secretaries from across Nato are meeting in Brussels, with how to accelerate support to Ukraine at the top of the agenda.
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