20,000 UK troops to join NATO exercise in Europe

It has been announced that in the first half of 2024, 20,000 service personnel from the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force will deploy across Europe to take part in Exercise Steadfast Defender 24.

The UK Armed Forces will join personnel from 31 NATO allies and Sweden.

The exercise will coincide with NATO's 75th anniversary.

The Royal Navy will be deploying eight warships and submarines, and more than 2,000 sailors.

16,000 troops from the British Army will be deployed across eastern Europe from February to June 2024, along with tanks, artillery, helicopters, and parachutes.

Defence secretary Grant Shapps said: "We are in a new era and we must be prepared to deter our enemies, prepared to lead our allies and prepared to defend our nation whenever the call comes.

"Today our adversaries are busily rebuilding their barriers. Old enemies are reanimated. Battle lines are being redrawn. The tanks are literally on Ukraine’s lawn.  And the foundations of the world order are being shaken to their core. We stand at a crossroads.

"I can announce today that UK will be sending some 20,000 personnel to take part in one of NATO’s largest deployments since the end of the Cold War. Exercise Steadfast Defender. It will see our military joining forces with counterparts from 30 NATO countries plus Sweden, providing vital reassurance against the Putin menace."

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