Exclusive:
Thousands of British troops will join a two-month long exercise in Romania, rehearsing rapid deployments to counter Russian threats and showcase NATO’s defence readiness
Thousands of British troops are getting ready to take part in war games in Romania.
Soldiers are set to begin arriving in the country, which borders western Ukraine, within days. The two-month exercise will rehearse the deployment of the new Allied Reaction Force to counter Russian threats. Top brass hope it will showcase NATO’s ability to defend every inch of territory. It comes eight months after our troops joined another NATO exercise, Swift Response in Estonia, billed as the biggest since the Cold War.
A source said: “It’s important to make sure Our Boys are prepared for anything. These exercises are vital to ensuring that. “It is essential that as a country we do everything we can to make sure our soldiers are the best in the world.” The latest exercise, named Steadfast Dart, comes after we signed a defence treaty with Romania last month.
Defence Secretary John Healey agreed to “enhance bilateral defence co-operation to maintain peace and security in Europe”. In August it was confirmed Challenger 2 tanks donated by the UK had been part of a surprise incursion by Ukraine into Russia’s Kursk region.
Romania has already sent personnel to Britain to help our troops teach combat skills to over 45,000 Ukrainian recruits in Operation Interflex. Earlier this year, an RAF squadron of six Typhoons and around 200 personnel was deployed to Romania to fly NATO air policing missions for four months.
There was also a British Army deployment to Romania’s Carpathian Mountains to train alongside allies. Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated as US president for the second time on January 20, has said he will bring a negotiated end to the war.
He met privately with Ukraine’s president Volodymr Zelensky for about an hour before the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris this month. He later posted on Truth Social: “Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin.”
Referring to Russian dictator Putin, he added: “I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!”
The Ministry of Defence said: “We regularly exercise with our NATO allies. As part of this, UK personnel will take part in the important exercise Steadfast Dart over the next two months.”
