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Hundreds of military vehicles leave for Nato exercise

BBC A queue of military vehiclesBBC
About 600 military vehicles are leaving Marchwood for Germany

Hundreds of military vehicles are being shipped to Germany for the biggest Nato military exercise in decades.

About 600 vehicles are being loaded at the Army's Sea Mounting Centre at Marchwood, near Southampton, by the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment.

About 90,000 troops from Nato countries are putting defence plans to the test as part of Steadfast Defender.

Major Simon Robertson of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment said the exercise was the "biggest in our generation".

"This is just one of the exercises that we do to foster bonds with our Nato partners," he said.

PA Media Lorries boarding the MV Anvil Point at MarchwoodPA Media
Armoured vehicles, trucks, Land Rovers, tractors and support vehicles are being transported

The Army said 7 Light Mechanised Brigade, also known as the Desert Rats, was heading to Poland for the opening phase of military manoeuvres.

It said, in addition to the 600 vehicles, 1,500 troops would fly out to conduct exercises Brilliant Jump 2 and Polish Dragon 24, just two of the many exercises taking part across Europe.

Armoured vehicles, trucks, Land Rovers, tractors and support vehicles were loaded on to the 23,000 tonne cargo vessel Anvil Point on Tuesday.

On Monday, Royal Navy carrier HMS Prince of Wales left Portsmouth for Norway.

The vessel is sailing in place of its sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth which developed a mechanical fault last week.

Steadfast Defender 24

The Nato exercise Steadfast Defender 24 brings together military forces of Nato nations, including the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.

The Navy is deploying eight warships and submarines, and more than 2,000 sailors.

A UK carrier strike group with F-35B Lightning jets and helicopters, surrounded by escort frigates and destroyers, will operate with allied warships and submarines in the North Atlantic, the Norwegian Sea and the Baltic Sea.

PA Media Military vehicles driving on to MV Anvil Point at the Sea Mounting Centre in MarchwoodPA Media
Vehicles were loaded on to MV Anvil Point at the Sea Mounting Centre

More than 400 Royal Marines Commandos are being deployed to the Arctic Circle in an allied amphibious task group.

Some 16,000 troops from the British Army will be deployed across eastern Europe from February to June 2024, taking with them tanks, artillery, helicopters, and parachutes.

Royal Air Force aircraft, including F-35B Lightning jets and Poseidon P8 surveillance aircraft, will practice flying in simulated conflict scenarios.

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