Troops deploy from Marchwood for opening phase of major NATO military manoeuvres – Exercise Steadfast Defender

A HOST of military vehicles was loaded on board a cargo vessel at Marchwood for deployment to major manoeuvres.

On Tuesday the 7 Light Mechanised Brigade, also known as ‘the Desert Rats’, prepared to set sail from Marchwood’s Military Sea Mounting Centre to the port of Emden in Germany before travelling by road to Poland.

They would be taking part in the opening phase of NATO’s largest set of military manoeuvres in a generation – Exercise Steadfast Defender.

Some 1,500 troops were flying out and 600 vehicles sailing from the UK to join forces with NATO allies for exercises Brilliant Jump 2 and Polish Dragon 24.

But, as the umbrella exercise continues, a total of 16,000 British soldiers are set to take part over the next five months.

On Tuesday, the Desert Rats’ Foxhound and Jackal armoured vehicles were loaded on board 23,000-tonne Ro-Ro cargo vessel Anvil Point.

They were joined by a variety of trucks, Land Rovers, engineers’ tractors and support vehicles.

The deployment was carried out by the Marchwood-based 17 Port & Maritime Regiment RLC.