Dozens of tanks will be deployed in countries ranging from Finland to northern Macedonia this summer as part of plans that have been strengthened since Russia invaded Ukraine. They will be joined by tens of thousands of troops from NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force, which includes Finland and Sweden. The Defense Ministry said the action had been planned for some time and had been stepped up in response to Russia’s invasion of its neighbor in late February. Army Commander Lt. Gen. Ralph Wooddisse said: “The United Kingdom is making a significant contribution to Europe’s defense and to preventing Russian aggression. A British Army Challenger 2 tank. Photo: LCpl Spencer / Ministry of Defense / Crown Copyright / PA “The range of British military exercises is fundamental to both. “The scale of development, combined with the professionalism, training and flexibility of the British military, will prevent aggression on a scale not seen in Europe this century.” The growth of the UK is expected to reach a ceiling of about 8,000 people who will be active in mainland Europe between April and June. “Europe’s security has never been more important,” said Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. “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 greatest joint developments since the Cold War.” Troops from the Queen’s Royal Hussars have been deployed and will be integrated into an armored brigade in Finland, which shares an 830-mile land border with Russia. Exercises alongside US troops are also taking place in Poland.
