Members of the Scots Guard, F Company, prepare for the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Wellington Barracks | Leon Neal/AFP via Getty Images UK sets up Brexit bunker to coordinate troop deployments in event of no deal Defense ministry’s no-deal Brexit preparations are called ‘Operation Redfold.’

A military operations center based in the Ministry of Defense will coordinate deployments of any troops required to help with a no-deal Brexit, the U.K. government confirmed.

Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson said in December that 3,500 troops would be on standby to assist any government departments with no-deal "contingencies."

Responding to reports in the Sun and on Sky News that operations will be coordinated from a secure bunker in Whitehall, an MoD spokesperson said the department is "willing to support wider government planning for any scenario."

"We have committed to holding 3,500 troops at readiness to aid contingency plans. We will consider any requests from other government departments if they feel defense capability could contribute to their no-deal planning," the spokesperson said.

With Theresa May's Brexit deal still not approved by the House of Commons with eight days to go until the U.K.'s scheduled departure, a no-deal exit — which is expected to cause significant disruption at ports — remains a real prospect.

The MoD's no-deal Brexit preparations are known by the codename "Operation Redfold." Government-wide contingency plans have been dubbed "Operation Yellowhammer."

Any requests for military assistance will be considered by the MoD under standard U.K. government "military aid to civil authorities" methods, and will require ministerial authorization.

EU27 leaders are expected to tell May at Thursday's European Council summit that they could offer a delay to Brexit until late May, but only if she can secure MPs' support for her deal at a third time of asking next week. If she fails, it is not clear whether the EU will countenance a longer extension or allow the U.K. to leave with no deal.

When asked whether she would contemplate no deal next week, May said when arriving at the summit that she "sincerely" wants to leave the EU with a negotiated agreement, but that delivering Brexit is "what matters."

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