Thousands of British troops to be sent to Europe with tanks amid Russia WW3 fears – Daily Star

Thousands of British Army soldiers, along with tanks and weapons, are to be sent to eastern Europe amid growing World War Three fears.

In one of the largest military deployments since the Cold War, British personnel will be placed in countries from Finland to North Macedonia.

These plans were in place before Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his "special military operation" in Ukraine, but have since been bolstered.

Over 100 armoured fighting vehicles and dozens of tanks will be sent with the troops, who will join tens of thousands of others from NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force allies.

The British deployment will peak at around 8,000 personnel between April and June.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the aim of the operation is "deterring Russian aggression in Scandinavia and the Baltic states".

British personnel will take part in a number of exercises with their allies involving parachute drops, helicopter-borne air assaults and Challenger 2 tanks.

The point of these exercises is to "showcase the scale and significance of the British Army's contribution to the defence of Europe", the MoD said.

Brits will also be involved in some exercises in Poland alongside American troops.

UK defence secretary Ben Wallace has hailed the plans as a show of "solidarity and strength".

He said: "The security of Europe has never been more important. These exercises will see our troops join forces with allies and partners across NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force in a show of solidarity and strength in one of the largest shared deployments since the Cold War.

"Operating across Europe, the British Army will stand alongside partners, combining our capabilities and shared values, promoting peace and security."

Commander Field Army Lieutenant General Ralph Wooddisse described the plans as "fundamental" with regards to security in eastern Europe.

"The UK makes a significant contribution to the defence of Europe and the deterrence of Russian aggression. The British Army's series of exercises is fundamental to both," he said.

"The scale of the deployment, coupled with the professionalism, training and agility of the British Army, will deter aggression at a scale not seen in Europe this century."

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Thousands of British troops to be sent to Europe with tanks amid Russia WW3 fears - Daily Star