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The United Kingdom plans to deploy a group of 20,000 individuals to participate in the largest NATO training event since the Cold War, with the goal of preparing the alliance for potential battles during a time of heightened danger due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
The UK’s military forces, including the army, Royal Navy, and RAF, will make up nearly half of the 41,000 service members participating in Operation Steadfast Defender. This multinational operation will involve up to 50 warships and numerous aircraft, with a total of 700 air combat missions being carried out.
The current drills in Germany, Poland, and the Baltics, in honor of Nato’s 75th anniversary, are a crucial effort for the alliance to shift from primarily responding to crises to being prepared for combat at a moment’s notice.
The war games, using real-time geographical data to create more realistic scenarios for troops, will be aimed at countering an enemy coalition led by Russia, named “Ocassus” for the occasion, carrying out aggression against member states.
However, it will also address the issue of hostile armed militias and terrorist groups that pose a threat to the alliance’s global interests.
Defence secretary Grant Shapps will warn that Britain’s “adversaries are busily rebuilding their barriers” and “old enemies are being reanimated”.
The Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, will caution that Britain’s adversaries are actively reconstructing their obstacles.
Currently, a coalition led by the US is involved in military operations against the Houthis in Yemen. The US and UK are conducting airstrikes, while several Nato member states are also participating. This endeavor is expected to improve interoperability, even though Nato is not officially part of the mission.
In addition to 31 member countries, Sweden will also participate in the exercise, pending ratification from Turkey and Hungary.
Last week, Rishi Sunak declared a security aid package worth £2.5bn for Ukraine during his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Mr. Shapps is expected to announce the deployment of the force to the Nato exercise in a significant speech at Lancaster House on Monday.
The defense secretary will state that we are now entering a different period and we must be ready to discourage our adversaries, take charge with our allies, and protect our country whenever needed.
Rishi Sunak traveled to Ukraine and promised to provide £2.5 billion in military assistance to the country that has been devastated by war.
Currently, our opponents are actively reconstructing their defenses. Former foes are being revived. Boundaries of conflict are being redefined. The military vehicles are physically positioned on Ukraine’s territory. The fundamental structure of the global system is being disrupted. We are at a pivotal moment.
“I am pleased to announce that the UK will be deploying approximately 20,000 personnel for Exercise Steadfast Defender. This joint military exercise will involve our forces collaborating with those from 30 Nato nations and Sweden, serving as a crucial source of reassurance against the threat posed by Putin.”
The Royal Navy’s participation includes eight warships and submarines, along with over 2,000 sailors. This includes a Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier equipped with F35B Lightning jets, as well as helicopters, escort frigates, and destroyers.
Furthermore, over 400 Royal Marines Commandos will be sent to the Arctic Circle to serve as the main force in a joint amphibious mission aimed at establishing and protecting the alliance in the northern region, which is currently being explored by Russia and China.
Approximately 16,000 soldiers from the army will be stationed in eastern Europe between February and June 2024. They will be accompanied by tanks, artillery, helicopters, as well as airbourne and Special Operations Forces. The Royal Air Force will also contribute F35B Lightning attack and Poseidon P8 surveillance aircraft to engage in simulated conflict scenarios against enemy fighters, missiles, and drones.
Recently, Admiral Rob Bauer of the US Navy, who is the military leader of NATO, stated: “We must be ready to take action as a new era of collective defense approaches.”
The coalition has decided to expand its highly-prepared troops from 40,000 to more than 300,000. During a meeting in the city of Vilnius, Lithuania, last summer, they reached a consensus on new defense strategies for the region and the establishment of an Allied Reaction Force to swiftly react to any urgent situations.
Source: independent.co.uk
