NATO's Libya campaign costs UK $64mln a monthJune 23, 2011 - 17:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Defense Secretary Liam Fox said Thursday, June 23, that NATO's air-led campaign in Libya is costing British taxpayers more than 40 million pounds ($64 million) a month. Fox said if the mission continues at the same rate, the military will need to spend another 140 million pounds replacing missiles and other munitions, The Associated Press reported. The projected cost of a six-month, NATO-led operation was "in the region" of 120 million pounds, Fox said in a letter to lawmakers detailing the cost of Britain's involvement in Libya. The latest figures show that British jets and helicopters have flown 200 sorties that fired their weapons between the start of the mission on March 19 and until June 14. Ahead of his statement, Fox said Britain and others had used "expensive precision weaponry" in Libya in an attempt to minimize civilian casualties. In March, Treasury chief George Osborne said the campaign would cost "tens of millions, not hundreds of millions" of pounds (dollars). Fox said Thursday Britain's Treasury has agreed to meet the costs from reserves. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Russian Ambassador to Armenia summoned to Moscow for consultations Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin has been summoned to Moscow for consultations. Armenian border troops stationed in Tavush Starting from May 24, the Armenian border troops officially take over the protection of sections of the border in the Tavush region. Welcome to CaseKey 2024. Byblos Bank Armenia firmly stands by future innovators Strategic business cases, invaluable experience, innovative approaches and more than 25 events are in store for the participants of CaseKey 2024. Macron honors Charles Aznavour on 100th anniversary French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the memory of French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour. |