# Logistics delays British deployment to Mali

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2020/04/logistics-delays-british-deployment-to-mali/
- Published: 2020-04-28T09:37:45+01:00
- Author: Kazim Abdul

Since the United Kingdom [pledged to contribute](https://www.military.africa/2020/04/logistics-delays-british-deployment-to-mali/military.africa/2019/07/mali-british-army-to-deploy-250-man-long-range-reconnaissance-task-group-to-un-minusma?v=65d8f7baa677)
a 250-man long-range reconnaissance task group to the United Nations Multidimensional
Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) later this year, the move has
suffered delay due to logistical constraints.

Military Africa gathered that despite the delay, the British government is still
committed to deploying to Mali but at a later date, most likely towards the end 
of the year. UK military sources disclosed that the delays were caused by challenges
in building troops camp sites, arranging commands, as well as moving equipment to
Mali.

![Mali: British Army to deploy 250-man long-range reconnaissance task group to UN(
MINUSMA)](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/british-soldier-afghanistan.
jpg)

A British long-range recon soldier providing landing coordinate data to UK’s helicopter
landing force in Afghanistan (Image via British Army)

In July last year, the UK British Secretary of Defence Penny Mordaunt announced 
through a [statement released](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-deploy-250-troops-to-mali-on-peacekeeping-operations)
that the United Kingdom will deploy 250 reconnaissance troops to Mali this summer.

The deployment will provide better situational awareness as well as information 
provision that will be beneficial to both the military and civilian personnel in
support of providing sustainable peace in war-torn Mali, Defence Secretary Penny
said.

Even before reaching the deployment deadline, British Supacat “Jackal” vehicles 
were [heavily upgraded ahead of deploying](https://www.military.africa/2020/04/logistics-delays-british-deployment-to-mali/military.africa/2020/03/british-supacat-jackal-vehicles-upgraded-ahead-of-malian-deployment?v=65d8f7baa677)
to the Malian theater. The Jackal’s components received various upgrade packages
including; the sensor, communications, and environmental systems.

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The upgrade packages were trialed during Exercise ‘Wessex Storm’ on Salisbury Plain
training area during February till early March, according to a senior British Army
officer.

During the six-weeks Exercise ‘Wessex Storm’, more than 2,500 regular and reserve
soldiers from 7th Infantry Brigade (the Desert Rats) were deployed on Salisbury 
Plain.

Since June 2018, British troops [numbering about 100 arrived](https://www.military.africa/2020/04/logistics-delays-british-deployment-to-mali/military.africa/2018/06/operation-barkhane-british-troops-coming-to-africa-in-support-of-france?v=65d8f7baa677)
West Africa in support of French _**[Operation Barkhane](https://www.military.africa/2020/04/logistics-delays-british-deployment-to-mali/military.africa/2018/06/operation-barkhane-french-war-in-africas-sahel?v=65d8f7baa677)**_–
a counter-terrorism operation in the Sahel region.

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A spokesperson for the French armed forces Colonel Patrik Steiger, disclosed that:‘**
_The first troops from the British_** **_Chinook deployment, which will comprise
three heavy transport helicopters and will be deployed in Gao (Northern Mali)have
arrived.’_**

Meanwhile, Canada has [since pulled back its forces](https://www.military.africa/2020/04/logistics-delays-british-deployment-to-mali/military.africa/2018/12/canada-to-pull-troops-from-mali-in-july-2018?v=65d8f7baa677)
from Mali as scheduled in July 2019, after completing its twelve month deployment.

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