NATO\u2019s Exercise Steadfast Dart 25 is set to bring thousands of soldiers to the alliance\u2019s eastern flank countries like Romania and Bulgaria, with the UK contributing a sizable force to the military show of strength.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The exercise, taking place throughout January and February 2025 and reuniting forces from 10 NATO countries, is meant to practice the deployment of the new Allied Reaction Force, which can rapidly reinforce NATO\u2019s eastern flank. The UK is providing the largest contribution of forces with over 2,600 personnel, and 730 vehicles. The UK\u2019s 1st Division will also be in command of all of NATO\u2019s land forces in the exercise.<\/p>\n
\u201cExercise Steadfast Dart demonstrates our unshakeable commitment to NATO and highlights the UK key leadership role in the Alliance. As we approach the three-year anniversary of Russia\u2019s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we must continue to strengthen our collective defences together to deter Putin effectively,\u201d said the British minister for the armed forces, Luke Pollard, cited in the press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe new Allied Reaction Force will not only support the Alliance\u2019s defense in times of crisis but strengthen deterrence against our adversaries \u2013 including Russia.\u00a0 It will ensure that forces from across the NATO alliance can come together at shorter notice than has ever been possible before,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Among the 730 vehicles deployed, the UK will bring specialized equipment, including Foxhound and Jackal vehicles, to demonstrate its advanced military capabilities. The exercise is also about demonstrating NATO\u2019s continued commitment to collective defense.<\/p>\n \u201cSTDT25 is a joint deployment exercise scheduled by SHAPE and conducted by JFCNP in order to test and train the operational deployment and reinforcement of 2024 Allied Reaction Force (ARF) Elements to NATO Vigilance Area South-East under peacetime conditions. STDT25 will focus on the planning and execution of a pre-crisis Multi-domain activity aimed to reinforce the allied forces located in Romania and Bulgaria. The exercise will flow directly into DACIA 2025 Romanian Employment exercise,\u201d the NATO exercises and activities calendar<\/a> notes.<\/p>\n