Britain has announced the deployment of a 26,000-strong land force of British troops for potential military action against Iraq.
Defence Secretary Mr Geoff Hoon told MPs in the House of Commons the package would include Headquarters 1 (UK) Armoured Division, with support from 7th Armoured Brigade (the Desert Rats), 16 Air Assault Brigade and 102 Logistics Brigade.
"The total number of personnel involved in this land force will be approximately 26,000," Mr Hoon said. "And in addition we are already deploying 3 Commando Brigade with around 4,000 personnel including their supporting elements."
Mr Hoon says the deployment, which will take place over the coming weeks, will provide "the right group of forces for the sort of tasks that may be necessary."
And although he insisted a decision on using force was not "imminent or inevitable", he noted such a large-scale deployment was "no ordinary measure".
The forces will join thousands of British and US troops and military equipment that have already moved into the Gulf region to put pressure on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to declare weapons of mass destruction that Britain and the United States say he is harbouring.
Two weeks ago, Mr Hoon called up reserve forces and earmarked naval ships for the Gulf. Then, he said about 1,500 reservists would initially be mobilised. More will now be called up to support the latest deployment.
The aircraft carrier Ark Royal has already set sail for the region, leading a fleet of 16 ships, with 5,000 sailors and 3,000 marines.
Agencies