Tri-Service

UK To Commit Almost 1,000 Troops To NATO Exercises In Poland

The UK is to commit nearly 1,000 military personnel to NATO exercises in Poland.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is due to confirm the deployment after talks with Polish counterpart Antoni Macierewicz in Edinburgh.

They are expected to discuss the security relationship between the two countries, amid suggestions that Poland is angling for more military support in return for backing Britain's EU membership renegotiation. Mr Fallon will say:

"The long history between our countries is deeply rooted. This troop commitment demonstrates the UK's vital work with NATO allies, including Poland, to ensure our collective forces are primed and ready, and sends a clear message to our allies that we are ready to respond to any threat."

The UK is sending a battlegroup of around 800 military personnel from 2 MERCIAN for Exercise Anakonda in June, and 150 personnel from 16 Air Assault Brigade and 3 PARA to Exercise Swift Response in September.

Mr Fallon will also confirm that the UK is deploying a battlegroup of around 1,000 personnel to NATO's Polish-led Very High Readiness Joint Task Force in 2020.

The frigate HMS Iron Duke will visit Poland on NATO duties this summer, helicopter carrier HMS Ocean will take part in a Baltic Sea exercise, and a Royal Navy minehunter is due to visit Poland in the autumn.