The Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard has said thousands of British troops are heading close the Russian border for a wargames exercise.
Tensions between the alliance and Russia are at an all time high as thousands of troops are set to hold a massive NATO exercise.
The UK is sending 2,500 troops, 730 vehicles are travelling across Europe by land, air and sea to join around 10,000 NATO soldiers in Romania for “Steadfast Dart 25.”
Steadfast Dart 25 is NATO’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF), this replaces NATO’s Response Force 2024.
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland are the core battlegroup and are part of the 7 Light Kechanised Brigade, also known as the Desert Rats who are being supported by extra UK forces and NATO troops.
The convoy is travelling through the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia and will finally end up at Szentes.
Speaking at a Hungarian military base in Szentes, Second Lieutenant Alex Coleman said the military exercise as a “hefty undertaking.”
He said, “Steadfast Dart 25 is the NATO Allied Reaction Force’s first deployment exercise, and it is undoubtedly a significant operation. It involves an extensive road movement across Europe.
“Steadfast Dart highlights NATO’s and the British Army’s capability to transport large convoys across long distances to enable rapid deployment wherever required. Lessons have been learned along the way, but everything has come together effectively.”
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard highlighted the UK’s leadership role in NATO, said, “This Government is committed to ensuring the UK remains NATO’s leading European nation.
“Exercise Steadfast Dart underlines our unwavering commitment to the alliance and showcases the UK’s vital role within it.
“As we approach the three-year anniversary of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, strengthening our collective defences with allies is crucial to deterring President Putin.”
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