The United Kingdom is set to commit 20,000 military personnel to participate in NATO’s Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, marking one of the alliance’s largest deployments since the end of the Cold War. The exercise, scheduled for the first half of this year, is part of NATO’s efforts to enhance combat readiness in response to increased tensions, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The deployment includes 16,000 British army troops stationed in Eastern Europe from February to June, an aircraft carrier strike group, and F35B Lightning attack jets, as well as surveillance planes. The move is aimed at providing reassurance against potential threats, and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps highlighted the importance of the exercise in countering the “Putin menace.” Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced an increase in support for Ukraine to £2.5 billion ($3.19 billion) in the next financial year.
