As global threats increase, the UK’s 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.
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.
These 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.
While at NATO, the Defence Secretary will meet his Estonian counterpart to sign the new roadmap, reaffirm NATO’s 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’ meeting with France and Germany.
Estonia joint declaration
The UK and Estonia will deepen their already close defence partnership, standing united against Russian aggression. This joint declaration will see the UK’s 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’s ironclad commitment to protecting and defending our allies.
The UK will maintain its permanently stationed battlegroup in-country, with Estonia being the first deployment of the UK’s cutting-edge Challenger 3 tanks – as well as armoured vehicles including Boxer infantry vehicles.
Missile defence
The UK-led DIAMOND initiative will improve NATO’s 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.
Long range missiles
The 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’s defence by the 2030s. The move underlines the Government’s desire to work closer with European allies on key areas of security.
Today’s 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.
Source link : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/britain-bolsters-natos-eastern-flank-with-new-pact-with-estonia-and-new-cooperation-on-missile-defence
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Publish date : 2024-10-17 11:04:00
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