Exercise Steadfast Defender 24: NATO to practice war against Putin's Russia

At a time of escalating global tensions, UK Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps, is poised to announce to announce the deployment of 20,000 British troops on NATO’s Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 – to practice repelling an invasion by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces.

His vision, to be outlined at London’s Lancaster House today, will seek to fortify the United Kingdom’s resilience against potential threats, foster leadership among allies, and staunchly defend the nation.

In the aftermath of recent targeted Royal Air Force operations against the Houthis in Yemen and the unveiling of a robust £2.5 billion UK support package for Ukraine, the Defence Secretary is anticipated to announce plans for the exercise.

In the initial half of 2024, a formidable contingent of 20,000 service personnel drawn from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force will embark on Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, spanning Europe.

The deployment will include one of the Royal Navy’s two new aircraft carriers, eight warships and the RAF’s F35 lightning attack aircraft, which will practise flying in simulated conflict scenarios.

This large-scale multinational exercise will see the participation of the UK’s Armed Forces alongside thousands of personnel from 31 NATO allies as well as Sweden.

The deployment is timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the NATO Alliance, underscoring the alliance’s enduring commitment to collective defence.

The forthcoming military maneuvers will leverage the cutting-edge capabilities of the Royal Air Force, deploying its most advanced fighter jets and surveillance aircraft.

Additionally, the Royal Navy will contribute its state-of-the-art warships and submarines, while the British Army will showcase its comprehensive range of capabilities, encompassing logistics, armour, and special forces.

Anticipating this significant event, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps MP is expected to say:

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps

“We are in a new era and we must be prepared to deter our enemies, prepared to lead our allies and prepared to defend our nation whenever the call comes.

“Today our adversaries are busily rebuilding their barriers. Old enemies are reanimated. Battle lines are being redrawn. The tanks are literally on Ukraine’s lawn. And the foundations of the world order are being shaken to their core. We stand at a crossroads.

“I can announce today that UK will be sending some 20,000 personnel to take part in one of NATO’s largest deployments since the end of the Cold War. Exercise Steadfast Defender.

“It will see our military joining forces with counterparts from 30 NATO countries plus Sweden, providing vital reassurance against the Putin menace.”

Among the units slated for deployment is the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team (7LMBCT), renowned for its pivotal role in responding to the activation of NATO’s Strategic Reserve Force in Kosovo last year.

The brigade’s forthcoming operations across Europe represent a significant contribution to one of NATO’s most substantial deployments since the conclusion of the Cold War.

The Steadfast Defender 24 exercise is not merely a showcase of military prowess but also a testament to the deepened coalition between the United Kingdom and its NATO allies.

This strategic initiative aligns with commitments made during the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius, reinforcing the collective resolve to confront and counter emerging security challenges.

As the United Kingdom assumes a leadership role in this multinational endeavor, Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 stands as a tangible manifestation of NATO’s enduring commitment to collective security in the face of an increasingly complex and dynamic global landscape.

In response to Russia’s aggression, NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said in June 2023 that the alliance would increase its number of high-readiness forces from 40,000 to “well over 300,000.”

NATO members agreed on new regional defence plans at last year’s Vilnius summit.

Baltic countries have been particularly vocal in calling for NATO to bolster its eastern flank as troops have built up on the Belarusian border.