The table shows the number of troops engaged in European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) and NATO missions in each year between 2003 and 2006.
The figures for 2007 are given as at 14 January 2007, but are subject to future Periodic Mission Review. As military operations remain fluid and we are unable to predict if there will be additional NATO or ESDP missions, it is not possible to state how many troops are expected to be engaged on such missions in 2007.
NATO1 ESDP2 2003 4,305 84 2004 3,281 950 2005 2,720 950 2006 4,281 654 20073 6,360 654 1 Derived from averaging weekly deployed totals over the year. NATO figures include Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. 2 Maximum deployed during year. 3 The spot figures given as at 14 January 2007 are subject to future Periodic Mission Review.
Within the MOD, eight people work exclusively on European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), although these dedicated staff draw on the support of other personnel across the MOD who devote varying proportions of their time to particular aspects of ESDP as required. Officers in their management chain also devote a portion of their time to this issue.
Additionally the UK Military Representation to the EU in Brussels comprises nine MOD staff. Two MOD staff are also seconded to the UK diplomatic representation to the EU to work on ESDP.