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Nato ‘feels stronger than ever’, says British commanding officer

Troops took part in a large-scale exercise on Tapa military base, only 70 miles from the Russian border.

By contributor Eleanor Storey, Press Association in Estonia
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Supporting image for story: Nato ‘feels stronger than ever’, says British commanding officer
British soldiers patrol through snow (Ben Birchall/PA)

A British commanding officer has said Nato feels “stronger than ever” as soldiers gather for a training exercise in Estonia.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Luson, commanding officer of the Royal Tank Regiment, said the exercise at the Tapa military base, involving some 1,250 troops, demonstrated the health of the alliance.

British forces are deployed to Estonia and Poland under Operation Cabrit, the UK’s contribution to Nato’s Forward Land Forces in the two countries.

There have been tensions within Nato in recent weeks as a result of US President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Greenland, causing a divide between America and its traditional European allies.

A soldier conducts mine clearance on the Tapa range
A soldier conducts mine clearance on the Tapa range (Ben Birchall/PA) 
A Challenger 2 main battle tank in arctic camouflage
A Challenger 2 main battle tank in arctic camouflage (Ben Birchall/PA)

But Lt Col Luson said concerns about the future of the alliance have had no impact on mood at the range, where Nato troops have gathered to test and prove their capability in extreme cold weather conditions.

Speaking to the Press Association, he said: “Right now, on this training area, we have got US tank company part of the exercise, we’ve got the French company as part of the Forward Land Force battle group, and operating alongside Estonian partners as well.

“So Nato here feels stronger than ever.”

British troops in Estonia
Commanding Officer Royal Tank Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Mark Luson (Ben Birchall/PA)
Soldiers bathed in green light in an underground command post
Soldiers command simulated battles above ground from an underground command post (Ben Birchall/PA)
Estonian soldiers lift an anti-tank weapon into a tank on the Tapa range
Estonian soldiers lift an anti-tank weapon into a tank on the Tapa range (Ben Birchall/PA)

The Royal Tank Regiment has been in Estonia since September last year, and troops are now taking part in Exercise Winter Camp, intended to ensure Nato troops are accustomed to operating in severe cold weather.

The troops have been completing the exercise in a particularly harsh Estonian winter, with temperatures plummeting as low as minus 30C at night.

Lt Col Luson said: “Every year, the battle group coming through Estonia will come and do winter camp to practise.

“This year is colder than it’s been for the last couple of years.

“Things are still working, and so far, so good.”

Soldiers standing on a vehicle as the sun sets
The troops have been completing the exercise in a particularly harsh Estonian winter (Ben Birchall/PA)
A soldier returns to his vehicle on snowy ground
Temperatures have plummeted as low as minus 30C at night during the exercise (Ben Bichall/PA) 
A Challenger 2 main battle tank in arctic camouflage 
The Royal Tank Regiment has been in Estonia since September last year (Ben Birchall/PA)

He added: “We work well together, we’re enjoying each other’s company, and I think whilst we remain together as an alliance, we are strong and ready to go.”

Janek Baiduza, a company commander in the Estonian Defence Forces, said the exercise is helpful for foreign troops to get accustomed to the harsh climate.

He said: “This winter camp is perfect… It’s colder than usual, challenging.

“The main reason is to exchange experiences, maybe for foreign and other countries who are participating in winter camp, they can get a lot of experience, fighting in these conditions.”