SZCZECIN, Poland - British troops from the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team (‘The Desert Rats’) arrived in Poland from Germany, on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, where they will participate in exercise Brilliant Jump, one in a series of Steadfast Defender 2024 exercises.
The day before they arrived by ship to Emden, Germany and travelled east through the country. After stops in Sennelager and Holzdorf, the troops will meet the other nation’s forces in the Drawsko Pomorskie training area, near Szczecin.
The Steadfast Defender 24 exercise series including Brilliant Jump is part of NATO's reaction to this threat to our collective security
The 7th Brigade of the British Army is the biggest force provider for the NATO Response Force (NRF), a highly ready and technically advanced formation, for 2024.
"Since Russia launched its brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, focusing on possible Article 5 scenarios gained predominant importance for the Alliance," said JFC Brunssum Commander General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta. "The Steadfast Defender 24 exercise series including Brilliant Jump is part of NATO's reaction to this threat to our collective security."
The first British troops from the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team (‘The Desert Rats’) arrived in Poland from Germany, on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. Upon arrival they were briefed by Polish Military Police about safety regulations on local roads. - NATO Photo by Brilliant Jump NMIC
Steadfast Defender 24 is the largest NATO exercise in decades with over 90,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen participating.
The exercise series will demonstrate the Alliance’s ability to rapidly deploy forces to reinforce the defence of Europe. It will take place over several months across thousands of kilometres in any condition. With 31 Allies and partner Sweden participating, Steadfast Defender reinforces transatlantic unity and our determination to protect each other not only with words, but with action.