Drones to reshape Nato's Eastern flank as UK's armoured battlegroup is replaced in Estonia

The British Army is to replace its armoured battlegroup in Estonia with a force centred on drones, surveillance and precision fires, in a shift the MOD says reflects lessons from the war in Ukraine.

The new Mobile Anti-Armour Force will deploy from April 2027 and operate in a more dispersed formation intended to make troops and equipment harder to detect and strike. 

The MOD said joint wargaming with Estonia found the new formation would have a greater operational effect than the armoured force currently deployed there.

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Another 400 British troops

The deployment will increase from approximately 800 personnel to 1,200, adding around 400 troops as the new formation is introduced.

An entire British Army brigade will remain on standby in the UK to reinforce Estonia during a crisis.

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said: "Next year nearly 1,200 British soldiers will arrive in Estonia, equipped with modern weaponry that is well suited to the local environment. 

"In addition, an entire British Army brigade in the United Kingdom will continue to be maintained at constant readiness to come to our assistance if needed."

The UK will begin storing equipment and ammunition in Estonia this year for that reinforcement brigade, reducing the amount it would need to transport if called forward.

Rocket artillery and air defence retained

The plans form part of a defence road map signed in Tallinn by Mr Pevkur and Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis, an agreement that also covers upgrades to the UK's existing Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, including improvements to their precision, and a commitment to retain short-range air defence capabilities.

Mr Jarvis said: "We are strengthening our deployment in Estonia to defend Nato territory and deter Russian aggression. 

"This new road map reflects the realities of warfare today and shows how we are modernising our forces to meet the threats we face."

The UK and Estonia will also expand their work on Asgard, a programme using artificial intelligence, digital targeting and command systems to reduce the time between identifying a target and directing a weapon against it.