Troops from the British Army’s 4th Brigade will be held at high readiness. Credit: L Marshall/Shutterstock.

The defence ministers of UK and Estonia have signed a new defence roadmap to enhance Nato’s eastern flank over the next two years.  

This joint declaration, signed at a Nato Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels, commits 1,000 of troops from the British Army’s 4th Brigade to high readiness, supplementing forces already in Estonia. 

During the meeting, UK Defence Secretary John Healey signed the new roadmap with his Estonian counterpart Hanno Pevkur. 

The joint declaration aims to fortify the existing defence partnership between the nations, presenting a united front against Russian aggression.  

Healey said: “As global threats increase, the UK’s unshakeable commitment to NATO has never been more important.  

“We are boosting our support for Estonia, with thousands of troops ready to deploy rapidly to the Russian border.” 

The UK minister will also reaffirm NATO’s support for Ukraine, and engage in bilateral talks with allies, including Norway and Turkey.  

He is scheduled to hold an E3 Ministers’ meeting with France and Germany. 

The UK’s 4th Brigade, skilled in operating in terrain similar to Estonia’s, will deploy the Army’s most advanced Challenger 3 tanks and Boxer armoured vehicles to NATO’s eastern border. 

In times of crisis, the 4th Brigade will be reinforced with helicopters, short-range air defence systems, and guided multiple rocket launchers.  

From July 2025, the 4th Brigade Combat Team will be at high readiness, with troops prepared to deploy to Estonia on short notice, reinforcing the UK’s ironclad commitment to its allies. 

The UK will continue its permanent battlegroup presence in Estonia, marking the debut deployment of the UK’s Challenger 3 tanks and Boxer infantry vehicles.  

The UK is also set to spearhead the ‘DIAMOND’ initiative, aimed at integrating NATO’s missile defences.  

The initiative also includes a pledge to develop new long-range missiles, enhancing the Alliance’s collective air defence and fostering opportunities for the UK defence industry.  

The DIAMOND initiative will improve NATO’s integrated air and missile defence by enhancing coordination among different air defence systems within the Alliance. 

In addition, the UK will join the European Long-range Strike Approach programme to develop new long-range missile capabilities, expected to be key in Europe’s defence by the 2030s.  

Healey added: “These announcements reinforce our contribution to the NATO alliance for decades to come. We are working closely with partners to develop advanced defensive and offensive capabilities to protect our citizens whilst boosting industry, jobs and growth in the UK.”