Britain deploys hundreds of troops and aircraft to Eastern Europe

(Baonghean.vn) - On October 27, Britain deployed hundreds of soldiers, aircraft and armored vehicles to Eastern Europe as part of NATO's largest build-up in the region since the Cold War. The deployment comes amid heightened tensions following a series of high-profile Russian military exercises.

On October 26, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that over the next four months, RAF Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby will be sent to Romania, and 800 military support personnel will be sent to Estonia, 150 more than previously planned. The British government also announced that France and Denmark will commit to deploying more troops.

The announcement came shortly after a Russian fleet, believed to be heading to join the war in Syria, sailed near the British Isles. On October 26, Russia withdrew its order to refuel its ships in Spanish territory after NATO pressured Madrid to deny permission.

Tensions between NATO members and Russia have increased since Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014 and Ukraine faced a civil war in Donbass.

Fighter jets were deployed to Romania to support the Baltic states. Photo CNN

The British military deployment to Estonia is part of NATO's expanded commitment to station four new battalions, totalling around 4,000 personnel, on the alliance's eastern flank.

The first deployment is expected to begin in May 2017, said UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.

RAF Typhoon fighter jets will be sent to take part in the Baltic Sea airspace policing mission to provide reassurance to allies in the Black Sea, for four months in 2017. This will be the first time RAF aircraft have been sent to patrol Romanian airspace.

The British deployment could include armoured infantry, armoured fighting vehicles and a squadron of Challenger 2 battle tanks.

The move is intended to underscore the alliance’s commitment to the collective defense of its member states – including the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, which, like Ukraine, have significant Russian-speaking populations and could serve as a “trigger point” in the event of an invasion.

Currently, the US and Canada are also preparing to send forces to Eastern Europe.

Earlier this year, President Barack Obama announced the US was deploying a “combat-ready” task force of about 900 troops to Poland, as well as troops across Eastern Europe.

Canada and Italy have sent troops to Latvia, while hundreds of German troops are reportedly due to move to Lithuania. Belgium, Croatia and Luxembourg are also among the countries ready to commit forces.

Thanh Hien

(According to Guardian)