British Lend Logistical Support to French Military Intervention in Mali

In October of 2012, The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2071 which approved a military response to the growing number of human rights violations in Mali. On January 11^th 2013, France launched military action into Mali in order to stop it from becoming a “terrorist state.” Insurgent groups have been fighting against the Malian government for over a year now but the recent French involvement marks the most significant foreign aid response.  

French soldiers in Mali could number as high as 2,500 in the coming days according to French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. France plans to stay in Mali until order is restored and other countries have been pitching in. On January 29^th 2013, The United Kingdom announced its intention to offer support to the French military with up to 200 troops. The extent of British involvement will be limited to logistical and training support. Defense Secretary Philip Hammond gave the following details on UK involvement. 

1. "Continue to allow the use of one of two C-17 transport planes, which are already flying French equipment to and from Mali, for three months. The RAF has also provided a Sentinel surveillance aircraft."
2. "Allow the US - which has been involved in airlifting French soldiers and equipment to Mali - to operate air refueling flights out of Britain."
3. "Offer a roll-on, roll-off Merchant Navy ferry to help transport equipment to the French force in Mali. It would dock at a port in a West African state to enable the kit to be moved across land to Mali."
4. "Provide £5m to assist in the training of West African forces through two UN funds - £3m directed to Afisma (African-led International Support Mission to Mali) and £2m to support political processes in Mali."  

Although The United Kingdom will play a non-combatant role in this conflict, their support will have numerous benefits. Mali is a land-locked country so supply routes must enter the country by either land or air. It is far less expensive to transport by sea so the British offer to transport equipment via Merchant Navy ferry to the West coast of Africa will greatly reduce expenses and expedite the process. The use of British C-17 transport planes will relieve some of the pressure currently placed on the aircraft flying between France and Mali. The UK has also offered to set up a joint logistics HQ in Mali but so far the French have declined this offer. The UK was not the first nation to offer logistical support to the French Military conflict in Mali but their aid emphasizes that there truly is a global effort to combat terrorism.

-Demosthenes
"All speech is vain and empty unless it be accompanied by action."