Advertisement

  1. National

Thousands of Nato troops in show of force with military exercise

Nato staged a major military exercise in Latvia in a practical demonstration of leaders' commitment to defend its Baltic member states in the face of aggression from larger neighbours.

Around 500 paratroopers, hundreds of vehicles and aircraft are taking part in the exercise in Latvia's capital Riga. Exercise 'Steadfast Javelin II' simulates a deployment of Nato soldiers and equipment in another country in a crisis situation.

At a two-day Nato summit meeting in Wales members agreed to form a new rapid reaction force and to step up exercises in eastern Europe in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

View all 89 updates ›

Labour: PM's Nato pledge 'ironic' after forces cuts

David Cameron's announcement of major British involvement in a new Nato reaction force are "ironic" given a "worrying decline" in regular and reserve soldiers, the shadow defence secretary has said.

David Cameron announced 1,000 British troops would join a new Nato readiness force. Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Labour's Vernon Coaker welcomed the decision to send 1,000 UK troops to join the force but noted that the move came as a parliamentary committee criticised ministers for "bungling" army cuts.

He added that the move to bring the UK's second aircraft carrier into service was a positive move but "poses many questions, not least because the Government previously indicated that it had not worked out the cost implications".

  1. Read more
  2. 89 updates
Thousands of Nato troops in show of force with military exercise

More on this story