British Army Says Training Base Near Medicine Hat Will Remain Open Despite UK Reports – Lethbridge | The Canadian News

Britain’s defense ministry confirmed on Wednesday that military operations at the British Army Suffield Training Unit (BATUS), which has been in operation since 1972, will remain operational.

British media reports on Tuesday said the long-standing training base would move its operations to the Middle East.

“We are not shutting down the British Army Suffield Training Unit (BATUS),” a Defense Ministry spokesman told Global News. “Canada is one of the UK’s closest allies and remains a vital training base for the British Army.”

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While confirmation operations would continue in Alberta, the defense ministry said the British Army is restructuring “to be lighter, more agile and more lethal to deal with future threats”, which would include rebalancing the fleets of vehicles to deal with threats and focus. in the armored forces of Europe.

To stay in line with defense priorities, the ministry said tank training can be extended to places like Oman.

He will work with the federal government and the Canadian Armed Forces in reviewing base activities at BATUS.

With a training area of ​​2,700 square kilometers, Batus It has more than 1,000 vehicles, 400 permanent employees and 1,000 temporary employees.