Thousands of British soldiers are set to deploy to Eastern Europe over the next two months.

The 1st Division will lead the largest UK contribution to Nato’s Exercise Steadfast Dart 25, with more than 2,600 personnel and 730 vehicles heading to the alliance’s eastern flank.

Scheduled to take place in Romania and Bulgaria, Exercise Steadfast Dart 25 aims to practice the deployment of Nato’s new Allied Reaction Force.

This force is designed to rapidly reinforce Nato’s eastern border, enhancing the alliance’s readiness and capability to defend its territories.

The UK’s 1st Division will command all of Nato’s land forces during the exercise.

The deployment coincides with the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said: “This Government wants the UK to be Nato’s leading European nation.

“Exercise Steadfast Dart demonstrates our unshakeable commitment to Nato and highlights the UK’s key leadership role in the alliance.

“As we approach the three-year anniversary of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we must continue to strengthen our collective defences together to deter Putin effectively.”

The deployment will involve the movement of vehicles including Foxhounds and Jackals, being transported by road, air and sea.

These assets will participate in two exercises before returning to the UK at the end of February.