Britain announces its troops will take part in the largest NATO exercise in four years

Intend U.K. Send 20,000 troops to participate in NATO exercises (NATOIt is the largest since the Cold War, according to an announcement Monday by Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, who warned of growing threats to the Western alliance.

Shapps called the deployment the largest deployment of British troops within NATO in forty years and was designed to “provide important reassurance” in response to the “threat” posed by the Russian president. Vladimir Putin According to the minister, after his invasion of Ukraine.

Personnel from the UK's Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army will be deployed across Europe and beyond to take part in NATO's Standing Guard military exercises, along with personnel from the alliance's 31 other countries, in addition to Sweden, a member of NATO candidate countries). Join it.

“NATO today is bigger than ever, but the challenges are greater,” Shapps said in a speech in London, where he touched on a number of issues while warning of a “rules-based international order.” Facing increasing risks.

He continued: “The UK therefore dedicates… all of our air, land and sea assets to NATO.”

He added, “In 2024, I am determined to do even more, so I can announce today that the UK will contribute around 20,000 personnel to lead one of the largest NATO deployments since the end of the Cold War.”

British forces will include military and reconnaissance aircraft, as well as the Navy's most advanced warships and submarines, in addition to the full capabilities of the Army, including special operations forces.

aircraft carrier group

London will also send a “carrier strike group” including aircraft carriers, F-35B fighter jets and helicopters. Exercises were conducted in the North Atlantic, Norwegian Sea and Baltic Sea.

Meanwhile, about 16,000 troops, along with tanks, artillery, helicopters and balloons, will be deployed across Eastern Europe from next month to June.

In his most important speech since taking office in August, Shapps pointed out that the “peace gains” achieved after the end of the Cold War have ended and Western allies must now face opponents including China, Iran, North Korea and Russia.

He noted that NATO's enemies were “more interconnected” than ever before, while Western allies were “at a turning point.”

Shapps also addressed the U.S. and British strikes against the Houthis in Yemen last week.

After the Israeli-Gaza war broke out, the Houthis armed forces repeatedly attacked ships heading to Israel in the Red Sea.

The minister said the strike was “an action”. Asked about plans for additional military action, he responded: “I can't predict the future.”

“We will not tolerate the permanent closure of major waterways to international shipping traffic,” he added.