At a time of escalating global tensions, UK Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps, is poised to announce to announce the deployment of 20,000 British troops on NATO’s Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 – to practice repelling an invasion by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces.

His vision, to be outlined at London’s Lancaster House today, will seek to fortify the United Kingdom’s resilience against potential threats, foster leadership among allies, and staunchly defend the nation.

In the aftermath of recent targeted Royal Air Force operations against the Houthis in Yemen and the unveiling of a robust £2.5 billion UK support package for Ukraine, the Defence Secretary is anticipated to announce plans for the exercise.

In the initial half of 2024, a formidable contingent of 20,000 service personnel drawn from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force will embark on Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, spanning Europe.

This large-scale multinational exercise will see the participation of the UK’s Armed Forces alongside thousands of personnel from 31 NATO allies as well as Sweden.

The deployment is timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the NATO Alliance, underscoring the alliance’s enduring commitment to collective defence.

The forthcoming military maneuvers will leverage the cutting-edge capabilities of the Royal Air Force, deploying its most advanced fighter jets and surveillance aircraft.

Additionally, the Royal Navy will contribute its state-of-the-art warships and submarines, while the British Army will showcase its comprehensive range of capabilities, encompassing logistics, armour, and special forces.

Anticipating this significant event, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps MP is expected to say:

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps

Among the units slated for deployment is the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team (7LMBCT), renowned for its pivotal role in responding to the activation of NATO’s Strategic Reserve Force in Kosovo last year.

The brigade’s forthcoming operations across Europe represent a significant contribution to one of NATO’s most substantial deployments since the conclusion of the Cold War.

The Steadfast Defender 24 exercise is not merely a showcase of military prowess but also a testament to the deepened coalition between the United Kingdom and its NATO allies.

This strategic initiative aligns with commitments made during the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius, reinforcing the collective resolve to confront and counter emerging security challenges.

As the United Kingdom assumes a leadership role in this multinational endeavor, Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 stands as a tangible manifestation of NATO’s enduring commitment to collective security in the face of an increasingly complex and dynamic global landscape.

NATO members agreed on new regional defence plans at last year’s Vilnius summit.

Baltic countries have been particularly vocal in calling for NATO to bolster its eastern flank as troops have built up on the Belarusian border.

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