Defence Secretary says we must strike at Islamic State during visit to Weardale tank track firm and Catterick Garrison

The former Darlington MP was speaking as he unveiled a £70m tank track deal for Cook Defence Systems in Stanhope, County Durham.

£70m British Army tank track deal won by Cook Defence Systems in Stanhope

He later paid a visit to the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick Garrison - where he spoke of its importance in helping deal with potential terror incidents.

Earlier Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed that the UK could launch air strikes against Islamic State without United Nations' support.

Asked if bombing was inevitable, Mr Fallon told The Northern Echo that was for Parliament to decide.

Speaking during his visit to Weardale, he said that France's fight against terrorism, heightened by the Paris atrocities, is now also a battle for the UK, adding that efforts must be stepped up to rid the world of Islamic State, also known as Isil.

"This barbaric organisation must be destroyed," he said.

"We have to strike at the heart of this in North East Syria, because that is where Isil is headquartered.

"What happened in Paris is only two hours away from us. France's fight is our fight and Isil is as much a danger to us and it has been for France."

He later arrived at Catterick Garrison by helicopter where he watched recruits taking part in an exercise on its moorland training grounds.

Mr Fallon views the training exercise

Captain Richard Baxter of 1 Royal Welsh said the recruits are in week 14 of training and were using the latest in ‘simmunition’ – simulated ammunition – to launch an attack on the 'enemy'.

“This exercise is great for realism. The 'simmunition' lets off a blue dye when it hits a target so you can see if you have been shot.

“They encourage effective marksmanship and personal cover when compared to the use of blank rounds.

“It is fantastic to demonstrate this kind of training as we don’t always have the chance to use this technology - this won’t be something the minister has seen before.”

Afterwards, Mr Fallon spoke to recruits who told him they found the training physically and mentally tough but very rewarding.

He went on to meet groups of officers working on different leadership strategies, as well as a group examining mental stress and resilience, giving recruits strategies to cope with anxiety and give them confidence.

Warrant Officer class two Simon Urwin told the Defence Secretary about his work in changing the face of leadership in the Army.

He said: “It is leadership built on respect and encouraging the recruits to share their opinions and ideas – it is not actually something new to the Army but we are working to reinforce good and effective leadership.”

Mr Fallon said: “This was my first visit to Catterick Garrison and it has been very impressive.

“We are going to need the Army now more than ever both at home and abroad – there is a major role for Catterick and the Army in backing up the police coping with terrorist incidents.”

Ahead of a vote on potential Syrian bombing, the Royal Navy's warship HMS Defender has been deployed to provide air cover for the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

Mr Fallon said the move was further proof the Government was correct in pledging an extra £2bn earlier this week to tackle terrorism, which will see funds spent on special forces, drones and fighter aircraft.

"This situation shows we are right to invest in our defence," he added. "We will continue our own surveillance and strike missions against Isil. They are a threat to our security."