As Nato celebrates its 70th birthday it remains “vital” to international security, according to a senior British officer.
Lieutenant General Tim Radford, who is the commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) based at Imjin Barracks in Gloucester, said Nato would remain the “pillar of stability in an uncertain world”.
He spoke as Nato foreign ministers met in Washington to celebrate the organisation’s anniversary.
Lt Gen Radford, who was speaking during a military parade at the barracks to mark the milestone, said: “While the last 70 years have seen unparallel change, Nato is as vital to global security today as it ever was.
“Nato is an alliance united by shared history, shared values and shared goals. Together we work to prevent conflict and to preserve peace.
“Our world is changing and Nato is changing too.
“Nato has kept our nations and our peoples safe by being agile and by adapting to new security challenges.
“It’s because of this, Nato will remain a pillar of stability in an uncertain world.”
All 23 nations serving at the UK-led headquarters braved the torrential rain to parade under their own flags.
Major General Maurizio Boni, deputy commander of ARRC, said: “We are facing uncertainty and so we need strength to face the uncertainty, and that strength is Nato.
“We are facing 360 degree threats and that’s why we need that strength against that uncertain future because we cannot predict what threats pose the biggest threat.”
“We are concerned with making Nato relevant in the 21st century,” he added.
Major General Jez Bennett, chief of staff at ARRC, said Brexit had “no impact” on Nato at all.
He added: “It may benefit the UK because Nato is an important means of British influence with the EU states and could become even more important as a result.”
