UK to send 20,000 military personnel to large-scale Nato exercise in effort to ward off ‘Putin menace’
Britain is sending 20,000 troops to one of Nato’s largest military exercises since the Cold War, as Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warned yesterday that “the enemies are gathering around us”.
Mr Shapps announced Britain’s participation in the 31-nation exercise during a speech at Lancaster House in London.
The exercise, named Steadfast Defender, will provide “vital reassurance against the Putin menace”, he said, referring to Russia’s President.
“The enemies are gathering around us. We need to ensure we lead our allies in whatever conflicts to come. Defend our nation in whatever threats should arise. This is what Britain has always done,” he said.
Last week, British ministers announced a further £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) support package for Ukraine, and joined the US in carrying out air strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.
“Last week, in less than 24 hours, the United Kingdom was able to both take action to defend ourselves against the Houthis and uplift support to Ukraine to new record levels,” Mr Shapps said.
“The result is that the Houthis have been dealt a blow.
“Our decisive response in the Red Sea and our uplift and support for Ukraine have a direct blueprint for how the UK must continue to lead in the future, offering our unwavering support to our allies, and, in times of struggle, galvanising global response to any malign actors seeking to break the rulesbased international order.”
The British Army will send about 16,000 troops with tanks, artillery and helicopters to eastern Europe for the exercise next month.
The Royal Navy will send eight warships and submarines crewed by more than 2,000 sailors, while more than 400 Royal Marines Commandos will be sent to the Arctic Circle.
The RAF will use F-35B Lightning attack aircraft and Poseidon P-8 surveillance aircraft.
Defence sources said that the exercise would prepare for the invasion of a member state by any aggressor, with Russia and terror groups considered the main threats.
The opposition Labour Party backed the commitment of British troops to Nato, but called Mr Shapps’s speech “little more than PR spin”.
“Grant Shapps is reheating old announcements from other people,” a Labour spokesman said.