Britain's most advanced battle tank to be sent to protect NATO's eastern flank

Soldiers in the Army's 4th Brigade will be held at "high readiness" in order to defend Nato's eastern flank with Russia, under a new co-operation agreement.

By Michael Knowles, Home Affairs and Defence Editor

22:30, Wed, Oct 16, 2024

British Troops Take Part In Exercise Hedgehog In The Baltics

Soldiers from Royal Welsh Battlegroup take part in NATO drill (Image: Getty Images)

Britain's most advanced battle tanks will be deployed to Estonia to defend NATO's eastern flank with Russia, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.

Soldiers in the Army's 4th Brigade will be held at "high readiness" in order to defend the alliance's eastern flank with Russia, under a new co-operation agreement Defence Secretary John Healey will sign with his Estonian counterpart.

Some 1,000 British troops are already deployed in Estonia. If deployed, 4th Brigade troops - who are specialists in operating in Estonia's Baltic terrain - could be sent there alongside helicopters, air defence systems and rocket launchers.

The Army's most advanced tanks, the Challenger 3, as well as the Boxer armoured vehicle, could also be deployed in Estonia in future years.

British Army's

Army chiefs have hailed the Challenger 3 battle tanks (Image: Sgt Ben Beale/MOD / SWNS)

British Army's Challenger 3 tank

A British Army Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank fires a round during trials in Germany. (Image: PO Joel Rouse/MOD / SWNS)

British Troops Take Part In Exercise Hedgehog In The Baltics

More British troops will be on high readiness to deploy to Estonia (Image: Getty)

Mr Healey said: "As global threats increase, the UK's unshakeable commitment to NATO has never been more important. We are boosting our support for Estonia, with thousands of troops ready to deploy rapidly to the Russian border.

"I recently visited our dedicated troops posted at the NATO front line in Estonia to thank them for their service in safeguarding Europe in the face of growing Russian aggression.

"These announcements reinforce our contribution to the NATO alliance for decades to come. We are working closely with partners to develop advanced defensive and offensive capabilities to protect our citizens whilst boosting industry, jobs and growth in the UK."

The announcement comes as Mr Healey meets fellow NATO defence ministers in Brussels on Thursday, as war in Ukraine rumbles on.

At the meeting, Mr Healey is also expected to agree plans to lead the new Diamond initiative (Delivering Integrated Air and Missile Operational Networked Defences), aimed at integrating NATO member states' missiles defences, while also developing new long-range weapons.

The 4th Brigade, based at Bourlon Barracks, North Yorkshire, would be deployed within 10 days if called up to travel to Estonia under the plans.

Army brigades differ in size, but as many as 5,000 troops could be placed on standby under the pact, which will begin in July 2025.