皇冠体育app

Britain will strengthen NATO鈥檚 eastern flank with a new defence roadmap signed with Estonia today and cooperation on missile defence.聽聽聽

皇冠体育app joint declaration, signed at a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers today will see thousands of troops from the Army鈥檚 4th Brigade held at high readiness, ready to defend NATO鈥檚 eastern flank, in addition to those deployed in Estonia.聽聽

At today鈥檚 (Thursday 17 October) meeting in Brussels, Defence Secretary John Healey will also agree to step up cooperation on missile defence and developing long range missiles with NATO Allies. 皇冠体育app UK will lead the new 鈥楧IAMOND鈥� initiative, to integrate NATO鈥檚 missile defences, while also pledging to develop new long-range, cutting-edge missiles, improving the Alliance鈥檚 collective air defence and offering opportunities to the UK defence industry.聽聽聽聽

皇冠体育app 4th Brigade is an agile force, specialising in operating in terrain found in Estonia. In future years the Army will deploy its most advanced tanks, Challenger 3 to NATO鈥檚 eastern border for the first time, along with armoured vehicles such as Boxer.聽聽

皇冠体育appse announcements underline the UK鈥檚 鈥楴ATO-first鈥� policy and the Government鈥檚 unshakeable commitment to the alliance.聽聽聽

皇冠体育app 4th Brigade will also be bolstered with key equipment in times of crisis, including helicopters, short range-air defence and guided multiple rocket launchers. 皇冠体育app announcement follows a visit by the Defence Secretary to Estonia in July to meet British troops stationed along the NATO eastern flank.聽

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:聽聽

As global threats increase, the UK鈥檚 unshakeable commitment to NATO has never been more important. We are boosting our support for Estonia, with thousands of troops ready to deploy rapidly to the Russian border.聽

I recently visited our dedicated troops posted at the NATO front line in Estonia to thank them for their service in safeguarding Europe in the face of growing Russian aggression.聽聽聽聽

皇冠体育appse announcements reinforce our contribution to the NATO alliance for decades to come. We are working closely with partners to develop advanced defensive and offensive capabilities to protect our citizens whilst boosting industry, jobs and growth in the UK.聽聽

While at NATO, the Defence Secretary will meet his Estonian counterpart to sign the new roadmap, reaffirm NATO鈥檚 commitment to supporting Ukraine at a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, and conduct bilateral talks with several Allies, including Norway and Turkey and will hold an E3 Ministers鈥� meeting with France and Germany.聽

Estonia joint declaration聽

皇冠体育app UK and Estonia will deepen their already close defence partnership, standing united against Russian aggression. This joint declaration will see the UK鈥檚 4th Brigade Combat Team held at high readiness from July 2025. This means that thousands of troops will be on standby to deploy to Estonia at short notice, reaffirming the UK鈥檚 ironclad commitment to protecting and defending our allies.聽聽

皇冠体育app UK will maintain its permanently stationed battlegroup in-country, with Estonia being the first deployment of the UK鈥檚 cutting-edge Challenger 3 tanks 鈥� as well as armoured vehicles including Boxer infantry vehicles.聽聽聽

Missile defence聽聽

皇冠体育app UK-led DIAMOND initiative will improve NATO鈥檚 integrated air and missile defence by ensuring that the different air defence systems across the Alliance operate better and more jointly across Europe. In Ukraine, air defences have played a vital role in protecting towns, cities and strategic positions. DIAMOND will strengthen the way European NATO allies coordinate their air defence against missile attacks.聽聽

Long range missiles聽聽

皇冠体育app UK will also take part in the European Long-range Strike Approach programme. Working alongside international allies, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland, the UK will develop new cutting-edge long range missile capabilities, with the project expected to play a key role in Europe鈥檚 defence by the 2030s. 皇冠体育app move underlines the Government鈥檚 desire to work closer with European allies on key areas of security.聽聽聽

Today鈥檚 meeting of NATO Defence Ministers is the first chaired by the new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and is the first that the Defence Secretary has attended since taking up his post.