The British unit will be the largest deployment of ground troops to NATO since the height of the Cold War in 1984. Photo: British Army/Sgt Hart
The Defense Secretary is set to pledge to send 20,000 British troops to major NATO exercises in Eastern Europe as he warns the post-Cold War “peace dividend” is coming to an end.
Grant Shapps In a speech in London, he will warn that “battle lines are being redrawn” as he announces the deployment of Army, Navy and Royal Air Force personnel to take part in exercises on Russia's borders.
It will be the largest deployment of forces on British soil. forces in NATO since the height of the Cold War in 1984, the year before Mikhail Gorbachev became Soviet leader.
This came after Rishi Sunak announced that British military funding for Ukraine would be increased to 2 £5 billion next year, and the Foreign Secretary warned of a growing threat from Iran, which funds terrorists such as Hamas and the Houthis who attack ships. in the Red Sea.
The “peace dividend” refers to the period after the collapse of the Soviet Union, when Western countries were able to reduce defense spending.
Warning the audience that this period of history is over, Mr Shapps will say: “We are living in a new era, and we must be ready to deter our enemies, ready to lead our allies, and ready to defend our nation whenever the call comes.” /p>
“Today our opponents are diligently rebuilding their barriers, old enemies are being revived, front lines are being redrawn, tanks are literally standing on the lawn of Ukraine, and the foundations of the world order are being shaken to the core. We stand at a crossroads.”
Grant Shapps will warn that “battle lines are being redrawn” as he announces British direction personnel to participate in exercises on the borders with Russia. Photo: Ministry of Defense/Rosie Hallam
Mr Shapps' comments come as the size of Britain's armed forces has fallen to a record low.
Figures for last month show the number of troops stood at 184,865 in October. including only 75,983 regular army soldiers. Both figures were down 4% on the previous year.
Last week it emerged that the Royal Navy has so few sailors that it had to decommission two warships to staff a new class of frigates.< /p>
Lord Cameron said it was “hard to imagine a time” when there was so much “insecurity” in the world and he said Britain would strike again in Yemen if necessary. “The global dashboard lights are flashing red,” he said.
In his speech at Lancaster House, Shapps will say the UK's contribution to the Steadfast Protector exercise will provide “vital assurance against the Putin threat”.< /p>
The war games will take place after ministers announced an additional £2.5 billion support package. into Ukraine and RAF airstrikes with the US against the Houthis in Yemen.
Mr Shapps will set out his vision for how the UK will contain threats as allies remain concerned about the threat posed by Mr Putin his war is entering its second year.
“Today I can announce that the UK will send around 20,000 troops to take part in one of NATO’s biggest deployments since the end of the Cold War, Exercise Steadfast,” he will say.
“It will see our military join forces with colleagues from 30 NATO countries, as well as Sweden, providing a vital guarantee against the Putin threat.”
Sir Richard Dearlove says the situation in Yemen is linked to the war between Israel and Hamas. Photo: GoffPhotos.com
Around 16,000 troops with tanks, artillery and helicopters will be deployed from the British Army across Eastern Europe starting next month as part of the exercise. The exercise will take place in Poland, the Baltics and Germany.
The Royal Navy will deploy more than 2,000 sailors on eight warships and submarines, while more than 400 Royal Marine commandos will be sent to the Arctic Circle. .
The Royal Air Force will use F-35B Lightning attack aircraft and Poseidon P-8 surveillance aircraft.
Defense sources said the exercise would prepare for an invasion of a member state by any aggressor, with Russia and terrorism considered the main threats.
It comes as Rishi Sunak is set to make a statement to Parliament about “limited and necessary » military action in Yemen and what next steps the UK will take.
British and US fighter jets dropped bombs on terrorist targets on Thursday evening after the Houthis attacked the Royal Navy. warship in the region.
Lord Cameron said: “Take a step back, it's hard to imagine a time when there was so much danger, insecurity and instability in the world.”
“The lights are flashing red as if it were on a global dashboard, and now we need strong leadership and a clear plan, that's what we have with the Prime Minister and the team.
“If you don't act against the Houthis in the Red Sea, you will see more attacks, essentially terrorist attacks , you will see more of these.”
The Foreign Secretary added: “There is no doubt that the malign player in the region behind these proxy groups is Iran. Iran supports Hamas, they support the Houthis.”
Making the connection
His remarks came after Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, said the situation in Yemen was linked to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Ministers tried to play down suggestions that the situation in the Gaza Strip was causing an increase in attacks by Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea.
But Sir Richard, who has headed the spy service since 1999 , -2004, said: “The problem is that in the Middle East, in the Arab world, it is extremely difficult to make such a division, especially on the Arab street.”
“But if you approach the analysis rationally, I agree With David Cameron, freedom of navigation is different from the Gaza issue, but the Arab street doesn't think so.”
He added: “Inevitably there is a connection. They will have an impact on the entire territory.”
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