UK bolsters contingent for Mali peacekeeping mission

The task group that the British Army is contributing to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) will have 300 personnel and new equipment, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) revealed on 30 October.

The increase from the previously reported 250 was confirmed by task force commander Lieutenant Colonel Tom Robinson in a briefing document distributed by the MoD announcing the completion of a mission rehearsal exercise.

The task group will provide MINUSMA with a dedicated long-range ground reconnaissance capability that has been lacking since soldiers from the Dutch 11 Air Mobile Brigade completed their last patrol in April 2019.

Most of the British troops are drawn from the Light Dragoons and Anglian Regiments who will be supported by a detachment from 32 Regiment Royal Artillery, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) unit.

A MoD spokesperson told Janes on 2 November that the UK task group was on schedule to begin deploying to Mali in December. “An advanced party is already in the country preparing for the arrival of the main body of troops,” said the spokesperson.