
Tens of thousands of NATO troops and its European partners are preparing for a series of military exercises called one of the "largest joint deployments since the Cold War".
The exercises will take place in Finland, Poland, northern Macedonia and along the Estonian-Latvian border and will be supported by aircraft, tanks, artillery and armored vehicles. NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force, which consists of non-NATO countries Finland and Sweden, will be there.
UK Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace said: "Europe's security has never been more important. These exercises will see our troops join forces with allies and partners across NATO and the Joint Expedition Force in a show of solidarity and strength in one of the largest joint deployments since the Cold War.
The British Army Commander on the ground, Lieutenant General Ralph Wooddisse further added that "the deployment rate, together with the professionalism, training and skill of the British Army, will prevent aggression to a degree not seen in Europe this century".
The deployments will begin in Finland this week when troops from the US, UK, Estonia and Latvia will take part in the "Arrow" exercise to strengthen their capacity to act together with Finnish forces.
In northern Macedonia, 4,500 troops will take part in this week's Swift Response Exercise, which will feature parachute launches and helicopter attacks. The mission will include forces from the US, Britain, Albania, France and Italy.
The Hedgehog exercise, which will take place near the Estonia-Latvia border next month, will bring together 18,000 NATO troops. About 1,000 British soldiers will take part in defense exercises in Poland in late May, with forces from 11 other countries. In total, the United Kingdom has stated it will send '72 Challenger 2 tanks, 12 AS90 tracked artillery pieces and 120 Warrior armored vehicles' for training.