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Elite British troops are “ready to take the lead” and defend Europe if Vladimir Putin attacks a NATO ally, the Defence Secretary has declared.
Thousands of troops will be on alert to deploy “within days” as the UK assumes command of NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force from Monday.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps admitted “the world is a more dangerous and contested place than it has been for decades”.
And Mr Shapps warned Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin that if he attacks a NATO ally, “UK troops are fully armed and prepared” to fight.
Military chiefs are concerned the dictator could launch another offensive if his forces defeat Ukraine in the biggest European land war since World War Two.
Mr Shapps told the Daily Express: “As the Ukraine conflict nears its second anniversary, it is more important than ever to stand with our allies.
“We cannot allow a dictator like Putin to win this war for all our sakes.
“Today Moscow has threatened Finland, one of NATO’s newest members. As always, we will stand up against that threat.
“UK troops are fully armed and prepared if Putin attempts a major offensive.
“We have some of the best soldiers in the world and some of the most advanced equipment to take the lead at this crucial time.
“NATO does not represent any threat whatsoever to Russia. We have no interest in their territory, but the treaty organisation countries will always defend each other if attacked.”
Some 1,000 British troops are currently based in Estonia as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence. British Challenger 2 battle tanks and Warrior infantry fighting vehicles are also based in Tapa, Estonia to deter Russian forces from attacking.
Mr Shapps added: “The UK is at the heart of NATO. By heading up NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force in 2024, we are taking another leading position in the Alliance, sending a clear message that Britain is stepping up to our global defence commitments as NATO enters its 75th year.
“The world is a more dangerous and contested place than it has been for decades and we need NATO more than ever. The UK and its allies are committed to supporting NATO and what it stands for.”
Britain assuming command of NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force comes at a critical moment in Europe’s security.
Concern is growing within the alliance that if Donald Trump wins the US Presidential election he will weaken NATO.
NATO’s acting spokesperson Dylan White said: “This brigade needs to be ready to move within days to wherever NATO needs it, making it a key part of our collective defence. The UK’s leadership of our highest readiness formation is a clear display of its capabilities and commitment to NATO.”
Reports in Germany had claimed earlier this year that the military alliance asked Berlin to remain in charge of NATO’s rapid reaction force for an extra year amid concern over the shrinking size of the British Army.
But in a clear message to armchair critics in February Lt Col Ben Hawes, who will lead NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, told the Daily Express: “If I ask for it, I get it. I don’t feel like we’ve been under-resourced. Everything has been thrown at making sure we are completely credible.”
Senior figures within the unit said soldiers are used to working with limited resources and won’t “cross the line at 100 per cent”.
But war requires the “want to fight” and Russian troops are not “up for it” despite outnumbering Ukraine with tanks and artillery systems, British squaddies believe.
Set up in 2014, the unit can be immediately deployed to any crisis.
The UK’s 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team – the ‘Desert Rats’ – will be at the “core” of the UK forces leading NATO’s elite unit.
The brigade consists of a light cavalry regiment, and four light-mechanised infantry battalions with enabling artillery, engineering, logistics, and medical regiments.
Major units include the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, the 4th battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the 2nd battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment.
The UK previously led the task force in 2017.
A Russian diplomat on Thursday claimed Finland would be “the first to suffer” if war broke out between NATO and Russia.
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna “Since they are our neighbours, if, God forbid there is some escalation, they will be the first to suffer.”
Finland – which joined NATO in April – shares an 832-mile border with Russia, the longest of any NATO member.
And Helsinki has signed a cooperation agreement with the US which allows American troops to use Finnish bases and store equipment in the country.
Ulyanov claimed “this is already a serious challenge”.
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