Britain could deploy more troops to Gulf, says David Cameron
Source: guardian
Britain could deploy more troops to the Gulf in the coming years as it reduces its combat commitment in Afghanistan, the prime minister has said before a visit to Oman.
David Cameron expects to seal a £2.5bn deal with the Omani government for 12 Typhoon fighter jets, the latest sales of a plane the prime minister said he was "very keen" to promote. The government hopes to secure sales of 100 aircraft to the Gulf next year.
Cameron's visit to Muscat comes weeks after an agreement to set up a defence partnership with the United Arab Emirates, potentially focused on the Typhoon jet, made by BAE Systems. The Emirati government expressed interest in ordering up to 60 of the aircraft, Reuters reported.
"What you are seeing specifically with the United Arab Emirates is not just a plan to sell Typhoon aircraft, but a big, significant defence co-operation, which could lead to more British troops stationed in their country," he told journalists at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan.
Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/dec/21/britain-deploy-troops-gulf-cameron