Major NATO Exercise Brings Thousands of British Troops to Romania
The operation, called Steadfast Dart, is underway in preparation for the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Friday.
Thousands of British troops are currently in transit across Europe for a major NATO training exercise leading up to this significant date.
About 2,500 British personnel, along with numerous vehicles, are en route via land, air, and sea to rendezvous with allies in Romania.
The purpose of Steadfast Dart is to spotlight NATO’s rapid mobilization capability and readiness.
This exercise is strategically scheduled ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine, with much of the operation centered in Romania, neighboring Ukraine.
Steadfast Dart marks the inaugural deployment of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force, succeeding the NATO Response Force, and it is aimed at testing NATO’s deployment efficiency under pressure.
At a Hungarian military base in Szentes, Second Lt. Alex Coleman conveyed that the exercise is no small feat.
He remarked, “Steadfast Dart 25 is the first deployment exercise of the NATO Allied Reaction Force, signifying a substantial operational challenge with a lengthy journey across Europe.”
“Steadfast Dart showcases the prowess of the British Army and NATO in deploying large convoys over extensive distances to support operations as required,” Coleman added.
The convoy has traversed the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, covering a distance exceeding 1,400 miles (2,300 kilometers).
Upon their early morning arrival in Szentes, Hungary, hundreds of land personnel and about 70 vehicles are poised to depart for Romania that same evening to engage in combat exercises.
British troops, departing from Marchwood in Hampshire, have embarked on this journey with approximately 730 vehicles, encompassing various types such as Foxhound patrol vehicles, Jackal high mobility weapons platforms, Mastiff armored patrol vehicles, fuel tankers, and forklift trucks.
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland are participating in this exercise in Romania as part of the main battlegroup within 7 Light Mechanized Brigade, also known as The Desert Rats.
Addressing the exercise earlier this month, armed forces minister Luke Pollard expressed the UK’s commitment to leading NATO in Europe.
He stated, “Exercise Steadfast Dart underscores our unwavering support for NATO and underscores the UK’s pivotal leadership within the alliance.”
“As we approach the third anniversary of Russia’s unlawful full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we must continue to enhance our collective defenses to effectively deter Putin,” Pollard emphasized.
