British Army Major Strength Demonstration During NATO Steadfast Defender Exercise.

The United Kingdom announced on Twitter @DefenceES a significant escalation for the new phase of the NATO exercise, Steadfast Defender. The announcement concerns the deployment of 16,000 troops and a hundred vehicles in this major exercise of the North Atlantic Alliance.
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Illustration of deployed vehicles (Picture source Army Recognition )

Steadfast Defender is a major NATO operation aimed at testing and enhancing the Alliance's ability to defend its members and respond rapidly to crisis situations. It involves a series of military maneuvers spread across multiple phases, involving thousands of troops from member countries, taking place in various regions of Europe and the North Atlantic. The exercise is designed to strengthen cohesion and interoperability among allied forces, while testing NATO's command and control infrastructures.

The first phase of Steadfast Defender focuses on the rapid response to a hypothetical threat against one or more NATO members, implementing the rapid deployment of the NATO Response Force (NRF). This includes the activation of strategic commands and the mobilization of forces across the continent, simulating a collective defense operation under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an attack against one member is an attack against all.
Another crucial aspect of the exercise is testing the Alliance's logistical capabilities to support large deployments over long distances. This involves maritime and air transport exercises to simulate the movement of troops and material from one point to another, including transatlantic crossings. The aim is to evaluate and improve strategic communication routes and key transit points in Europe.

Steadfast Defender also serves as a platform to integrate new technologies and tactics into NATO operations. The exercise includes cyber defense simulations and the implementation of advanced command and control systems, which allows testing defenses against hybrid threats and cyber attacks, thus ensuring robust defense in an increasingly complex security environment.

The United Kingdom, present from the early phases of the exercise, today announces the deployment of 16,000 soldiers accompanied by 79 Jackals, 26 Mastiffs, and 63 Foxhounds. These three vehicles are vehicles for deep action or patrols, modern and modular.

The Foxhound is a light armored vehicle developed mainly for the British Army by General Dynamics UK. Designed to meet the modern requirements of combat terrain, particularly in Afghanistan, the Foxhound is equipped with mine and ambush protection technology. Its unique V-hull and modular chassis make it particularly resistant to improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Agile and fast, armed by default with a 7.62 machine gun, it can transport up to six soldiers while navigating difficult terrain, making it ideal for reconnaissance or quick patrol missions. Its design is focused on rapid field maintenance.

The Mastiff is a heavy patrol armored vehicle used by the British Army, based on the American Cougar design. It was designed to maximize crew protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mines, and light arms fire thanks to its robust V-shaped hull and additional armor. The Mastiff can transport up to eight soldiers, in addition to the crew which includes a driver and a commander, making it an ideal choice for troop transport and field command missions. Regarding armament, it is typically equipped with a heavy machine gun like the Browning M2 of .50 caliber or a 7.62 mm caliber machine gun, mounted on the roof to provide effective fire support during operations.

The Jackal is a high-mobility reconnaissance vehicle used primarily by the British Army, designed to offer both speed and versatility in challenging environments such as desert or mountainous terrain. It can transport a crew of three to four people, including the driver, the gunner, and one or two additional passengers. Regarding armament, the Jackal is generally equipped with two mounted weapons, including a heavy machine gun Browning M2 of .50 caliber and a general-purpose machine gun of 7.62 mm caliber, which allows it to provide substantial fire support during patrols or engagements with the enemy. Its open design and powerful armament make it an excellent choice for rapid reconnaissance missions, convoy protection, and light assault tasks.

In conclusion, the UK's deployment is part of the dynamics of the Steadfast Defender exercise, which is taking place at a time when tensions on the eastern border of the alliance are greatest. It is easy to echo the geopolitical situation in Ukraine, this exercise being intended to show NATO's response capabilities to a potential enemy to the east. It is conducted in parallel with a massive deployment of troops prepositioned on the border with the Russian sphere of influence. With this deployment, the UK is focusing its units on high mobility and rapid action, particularly well-suited to the geography of Eastern Europe. Thus, it is easy to understand the true nature of the Steadfast Defender exercise as a show of force meant to send a message of unity in response to Russia's bellicose actions and positions.

Defense News April 2024