MARINE CORE

Anti-terror special ops unit launch to boost Nato | Boat, bike, chopper and dune buggy strike groups

- CHRIS HUGHES

DEFENCE chiefs are boosting the UK's highseas counter terror and war capability with a new Royal Navy "special ops" unit.

The commando force will support the SAS and SBS special forces and will boast small "strike teams" operating independently.

As well as smashing terrorism, the crack commandos will counter threats from Russia, with the danger of a European war, North Korea, Iran and China. A source said: "The world is changing fast and we need to adapt. This is all about responding to current threats and boosting capability to react and respond."

The hostile states were recently dubbed the "deadly quartet" by defence chiefs launching a new review and overhaul of the UK's military.