Michael Fallon has slammed those who claim that standing up to terrorism in the form of air strikes in Syria makes the UK less safe.
The Defence Secretary said that the claim that UK could be endangered as a results of strikes on targets belonging to the so-called Islamic State (IS) terror group was “simply wrong”.
On a visit to the Pentagon, Fallon said during a joint press conference with US secretary of defence Ash Carter that such claims were a “council of despair”.
Michael Fallon was speaking at the Pentagon
According to the Press Association, he said: “There will be plots against both our countries as we take the fight to Isil-Daesh, just as there have been attacks like those in San Bernardino.
“But we must not allow the idea to take hold that standing up to this terrorism makes our homeland security any worse.
"That is a council of despair and simply wrong. So we must defend our values as much as our streets and always remember that these people don't hate us because of what we do, but because of who we are."
SEE ALSO:
Fallon said that since last week’s vote, the UK had more than doubled the number of missions flown by the RAF to target IS "in its heartland".
He reiterated that Britain would not be sending ground troops into Syria or back into Iraq, explaining that "home-grown forces" - which could enjoy the support of locals - would be needed to provide security in areas liberated from IS (also know as Isis, Isil or Daesh).
Fallon also hailed Britain’s relationship with the US, pledging to build on the strong partnership.
He said: "The United States remains our closest strategic partner and we will work together to promote global stability, to protect our shared interests and to deliver prosperity for our people."
Britain's first air strike on Syria
Syria conflict(01 of44)
Two RAF Tornado GR4's, both with remaining weapons ordnance, approach RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, as they return to the base after carrying out some of the first British bombing runs over Syria. (credit:Nick Ansell/PA Wire)
Syria conflict(02 of44)
An RAF Tornado GR4, with remaining weapons ordnance, comes into land through the heat haze, at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, as it returns to the base after carrying out some of the first British bombing runs over Syria. (credit:Nick Ansell/PA Wire)
Syria conflict(03 of44)
An RAF Tornado GR4, with remaining weapons ordnance, comes into land through the heat haze, at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, as it returns to the base after carrying out some of the first British bombing runs over Syria. (credit:Nick Ansell/PA Wire)
Cyprus Britain Islamic State(04 of44)
A British Tornado warplane lands at the RAF Akrotiri, a British air base near costal city of Limassol, Cyprus, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, after arriving from an airstrike against Islamic State group targets in Syria. British warplanes carried out airstrikes in Syria early Thursday, hours after Parliament voted to authorize air attacks against Islamic State group targets there. (AP Photo/Pavlos Vrionides) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Cyprus Britain Islamic State(05 of44)
Two British Tornados warplanes fly over the RAF Akrotiri, a British air base near costal city of Limassol, Cyprus, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, as they arrive from an airstrike against Islamic State group targets in Syria. British warplanes carried out airstrikes in Syria early Thursday, hours after Parliament voted to authorize air attacks against Islamic State group targets there. (AP Photo/Pavlos Vrionides) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(06 of44)
A pilot waves from the cockpit as RAF Tornados return to RAF Akrotiri after a sortie on December 3, 2015 in Akrotiri, Cyprus (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(07 of44)
(credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(08 of44)
(credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(09 of44)
(credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(10 of44)
(credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(11 of44)
(credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Syria conflict(12 of44)
An RAF Tornado GR4 lands at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, as it returns to the base after carrying out some of the first British bombing runs over Syria. (credit:Nick Ansell/PA Wire)
Cyprus Britain Islamic State(13 of44)
A British Tornado warplane flies over the RAF Akrotiri, a British air base near costal city of Limassol, Cyprus, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, after arriving from an airstrike against Islamic State group targets in Syria. British warplanes carried out airstrikes in Syria early Thursday, hours after Parliament voted to authorize air attacks against Islamic State group targets there. (AP Photo/Pavlos Vrionides) (credit:Pavlos Vrionides/AP)
Cyprus Britain Islamic State(14 of44)
A British tornado warplane taxies on the ground at the RAF Akrotiri, a British air base near costal city of Limassol, Cyprus, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, after landing from an airstrike targets in Syria. British warplanes carried out airstrikes in Syria early Thursday, hours after Parliament voted to authorize air attacks against Islamic State group targets there. (AP Photo/Pavlos Vrionides) (credit:Pavlos Vrionides/AP)
(15 of44)
An RAF Tornado returns to RAF Akrotiri after a sortie on December 3 after bombing an Islamic State-controlled oilfield (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(16 of44)
(credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(17 of44)
(credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(18 of44)
(credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(19 of44)
(credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Syria conflict(20 of44)
A pilot sits in the cockpit of an RAF Tornado GR4 as he taxis it on the runway at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, after returning to the base from carrying out some of the first British bombing runs over Syria. (credit:Nick Ansell/PA Wire)
(21 of44)
(credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(22 of44)
An RAF Tornado returns after a mission December 3, 2015 at RAF Akrotiri (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
(23 of44)
An RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Cyprus Islamic State(24 of44)
British crew work at a warplane at the RAF Akrotiri, a British air base near costal city of Limassol, Cyprus, early Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 after an airstrike. British warplanes carried out airstrikes in Syria early Thursday, hours after Parliament voted to authorize air attacks against Islamic State group targets there. (AP Photo/Pavlos Vrionides) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Cyprus Islamic State(25 of44)
British crew work at a warplane at the RAF Akrotiri, a British air base near costal city of Limassol, Cyprus, early Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 after an airstrike. British warplanes carried out airstrikes in Syria early Thursday, hours after Parliament voted to authorize air attacks against Islamic State group targets there. (AP Photo/Pavlos Vrionides) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Cyprus Islamic State(26 of44)
British crew work at a warplane at the RAF Akrotiri, a British air base near costal city of Limassol, Cyprus, early Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 after an airstrike. British warplanes carried out airstrikes in Syria early Thursday, hours after Parliament voted to authorize air attacks against Islamic State group targets there. (AP Photo/Pavlos Vrionides) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Cyprus Islamic State(27 of44)
British crew work at a warplane at the RAF Akrotiri, a British air base near costal city of Limassol, Cyprus, early Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 after an airstrike. British warplanes carried out airstrikes in Syria early Thursday, hours after Parliament voted to authorize air attacks against Islamic State group targets there. (AP Photo/Pavlos Vrionides) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(28 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: An RAF Tornado returns after a mission December 3, 2015 at RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(29 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: An RAF Tornado returns after a mission December 3, 2015 at RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(30 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: An RAF Tornado returns after a mission December 3, 2015 at RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(31 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: An RAF Tornado prepares to take off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(32 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: An RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(33 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: A RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(34 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: A RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(35 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: A RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(36 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: A RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(37 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: A RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(38 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: A RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(39 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: A RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(40 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: A RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(41 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: A RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(42 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: A RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(43 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: A RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
British Fighter Jets At RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus(44 of44)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - DECEMBER 03: A RAF Tornado takes off December 3, 2015 from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. The British Parilament December 2 voted 397 to 223 in favor of joining international airstrikes on Syria. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)