British troops will lead Europe’s first line of defence if Vladimir Putin assaults a NATO ally.
1000’s of troops can be on excessive alert to deploy “inside days” because the UK assumes command of NATO’s Very Excessive Readiness Joint Job Pressure from January 1.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has declared “the world is a extra harmful and contested place than it has been for many years and we want NATO greater than ever”.
Navy chiefs are involved Vladimir Putin may assault one other European nation if his forces defeat Ukraine within the largest European land warfare since World Battle Two.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps mentioned: “The UK is on the coronary heart of NATO. By heading up NATO’s Very Excessive Readiness Joint Job Pressure in 2024, we’re taking one other main place within the Alliance, sending a transparent message that Britain is stepping as much as our world defence commitments as NATO enters its 75th yr.
“The UK’s Armed Forces stand prepared, at a second’s discover, to defend our Allies and shield the British nationwide curiosity.
“The world is a extra harmful and contested place than it has been for many years and we want NATO greater than ever. The UK and its allies are dedicated to supporting NATO and what it stands for.”
Studies in Germany had claimed earlier this yr that the army alliance requested Berlin to stay in command of NATO’s speedy response pressure for an additional yr amid concern over the shrinking dimension of the British Military.
However in a transparent message to armchair critics, Lt Col Ben Hawes advised the Day by day Categorical: “There’s no distraction.
“If I ask for it, I get it. I don’t really feel like we’ve been under-resourced. The whole lot has been thrown at ensuring we’re utterly credible.”
Senior figures inside the unit mentioned troopers are used to working with restricted assets and gained’t “cross the road at 100 per cent”.
However warfare requires the “wish to struggle” and Russian troops will not be ”up for it” regardless of outnumbering Ukraine with tanks and artillery programs, British soldiers imagine.
German media claimed NATO has expressed concern the UK won’t be able to take over command of the Very Excessive Readiness Joint Job Pressure (VTJF) on January 1 2024.
Arrange in 2014, the unit may be instantly deployed to any disaster.
The UK’s seventh Mild Mechanised Brigade Fight Group – the ‘Desert Rats’ – can be on the ”core” of the UK forces main NATO’s elite unit.
The brigade consists of a light-weight cavalry regiment, and 4 light-mechanised infantry battalions with enabling artillery, engineering, logistics, and medical regiments.
Main models embrace the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, the 4th battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the twond battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment.
The UK beforehand led the duty pressure in 2017.