The UK has pledged to deploy a „heavy” mechanised infantry brigade to Estonia in the event of a crisis.
The brigade is expected to be among the strongest in the British Army and will be part of the UK’s 3rd Division. It will be equipped with new Challenger 3 tanks, Ajax armoured fighting vehicles, and Boxer multirole armoured fighting vehicles.
The precise composition of the brigade to be deployed is not yet certain, as negotiations on which elements of a heavy brigade Estonia believes would be most sensible to bring in are ongoing with the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF). The British Army reforms are still being completed, and the first Ajax combat vehicles are not expected to enter service until 2025, with units using them not expected to reach full combat capability until 2028 or 2029.
The British contribution to Estonia’s defence already includes a British battalion in Tapa operating as part of the Estonian Defense Forces’ (EDF) 1st Infantry Brigade. There are also ongoing discussions about whether the UK will send more specialised capabilities to the Estonian division, such as indirect fire or communications units.
Training to practice moving the entire brigade to Estonia will take place for the first time in 2025.
CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE NEWS
Britain Pledges its Strongest Battalion for the Baltic
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