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U.K. to boost equipment supply for Jordan

By Ryan Maass
Jordanian Armed Forces partner with U.S. and U.K. forces for military exercises. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Young/released
Jordanian Armed Forces partner with U.S. and U.K. forces for military exercises. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Young/released

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- The U.K. Ministry of Defence announced the country will provide more military equipment to the Jordanian Armed Forces to help them counter border threats.

The package amounts to over $3.84 million, and includes non-lethal transport vehicles, body armor, communications and IT equipment. The package is part of the United Kingdom's support for the Jordanian Armed Forces Quick Reaction Force, and their fight against the Islamic State, Sunni militants also identified as Daesh and by the acronyms ISIS and ISIL. The militants have taken considerable territory in Iraq and Syria, two countries bordering Jordan.

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Penny Mordaunt, Minister of the State for Armed Forces, visited the growing force in Jordan over the weekend.

"The spread of extremism and terrorism in the Middle East represents a threat to us all and Jordan is on the front line," she said in a statement. "I've seen first-hand how vital UK support is helping the Jordanian Armed Forces secure their borders from organisations such as ISIL."

Jordan has become a key player for Western and regional countries in the coalition force against the Islamic State. The country's government became active in the fight in February 2015, launching 56 airstrikes against the militants in three days.

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Jordan has also been investing more in their border security. Recently, the country contracted Raytheon, a U.S.-based manufacturer, to enhance their border security capabilities, fronting $18.6 million for fences, cameras, and command and control systems.

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