Armed Forces: Germany

House of Lords written question – answered at on 14 January 2008.

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Photo of Lord Macaulay of Bragar Lord Macaulay of Bragar Labour

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many members of HM Armed Forces are currently based in Germany; how many civil personnel are also based there; and what legal and military duties the British personnel perform while in Germany.

Photo of Baroness Taylor of Bolton Baroness Taylor of Bolton Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Procurement)

There are currently approximately 20,900 military and 2,200 UK civilian personnel based in Germany as part of the British force. Their presence in Germany is governed by the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) of 19 June 1951 and by the supplementary agreement relating to the status of foreign forces in Germany dated 3 August 1959. The two principal British Army units in Germany are 1 (UK) Armoured Division and United Kingdom Support Command (Germany). 1 (UK) Armoured Division's primary task is to prepare force elements and individuals for operations. United Kingdom Support Command (Germany)'s mission is to provide the necessary range of operational, personnel, training and infrastructure support to enable and sustain military capability.

These units continue to be based in Germany as the UK is committed to its contribution to NATO and co-operation with its allies in the alliance. The UK also benefits from the opportunity to train armoured units in Germany, and to make use of training areas in Eastern Europe, which are less accessible from the UK. With the approval of the German Government, we plan to continue to station two armoured brigades and their supporting units in Germany for the foreseeable future.

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