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How NATO's New Battalions Will Impact British Forces
NATO's deteriorating relationship with Russia has dominated two days of talks at NATO's headquarters in Brussels
Defence ministers have agreed on battalions to be based in Eastern Europe and more support to Ukraine.
British troops are tipped to go to Estonia – but it's one of the many key details not yet be finalised.
What we do know is that the number of British troops involved will be measurable in busloads.
It's a fraction of the thousands who were in Germany, and they won't deploy with their families.
But unlike a recent exercise, where 2 MERCIAN were sent to Poland for just a few weeks, the British Army presence in Eastern Europe will soon be constant hundreds at any time on deployments of several months, with other NATO nations doing the same.
It’s raised questions from MPs about the wisdom of the Army leaving Germany completely.
The Chief of the General Staff has told them that although the drawdown continues to plan, a small hub of people and vehicles will stay until 2023. And an Army spokesman has told Forces TV:
"Defence is currently conducting a review of its enduring presence, based on the changed security environment and intent to deepen our bilateral defence relationship with Germany."
NATO leaders still have to endorse the plan at their summit next month, however.
The alliance is currently trying to reassure its former Soviet members, who fear they could be next in Moscow’s sights after its annexation of Crimea.
NATO responded by showing off its military might in Eastern Europe and tripling the size of its reaction force to 40,000 troops.
But that, it says, is not enough, with the four new NATO battalions set to be placed on Russia’s doorstep in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland - probably from next year.
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