But operations in Afghanistan alone, involving some 8, 000 British troops, arguably are already more demanding than the structure permits and many expect Britain to send another battle-group to support the American reinforcement there.

ECONOMIST: Britain's armed forces

Since World War II up until 2008, we maintained the dominant military force in the Mediterranean, consisting of at least one carrier battle group and an amphibious Ready Group with an embarked Marine battalion, along with logistic support ships and other units.

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