SAS troops could be sent on missions against Russia as ISIS operations wind down
THE SAS and other UK Special Forces could be sent on new missions to tackle Russia and other foreign powers.
They would take on a more prominent role as action against ISIS in Iraq and Syria winds down.
Ministers are set to consider the Special Forces Operations Concept plan.
The SAS and SBS (Special Boat Service) would take a less aggressive direction and work closer with intelligence agencies and MI6 in a bid to counter Russian influence across the globe.
The Special Reconnaissance Regiment, tasked with covert surveillance, would also take a more prominent role.
The MoD does not comment on Special Forces but a Whitehall source told BBC’s Newsnight: “The need to confront dangerous international behaviour by peer adversaries is increasing.”
It is believed there has been a prolonged spell of aggression from Moscow. Military chiefs believe its intelligence arm, the GRU, has been effective in Ukraine, Syria and Africa.
The UK government said the GRU was responsible for last year’s Salisbury attack, where Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with nerve agent Novichok.
One senior officer told Newsnight: “Right now you do nothing or you escalate. We want to expand that competitive space.”
Ministers have yet to approve the new plans.
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