Next year, a new British contingent will arrive in Estonia. It is larger than the current one - about 300 more soldiers. But what's even more important is that the new unit is of a different type.
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur says the British have learned from the war in Ukraine. They have changed their force structure and equipment. The new unit is faster, more mobile, and more powerful.
Instead of the current armored forces, a mobile unit suitable for Estonia will be deployed. Marek Kohv, a researcher at the International Center for Defense Studies, says the new unit is fast and can be divided into smaller units.
Challenger tanks will be removed from Estonia. Estonia's long-range strike capability will improve. The British will leave behind M-270 rocket launchers and Archer howitzers. Drones with a range of up to 250 kilometers will also be added.
With drones, the British will be able to attack from a distance. The DART and NYAN drones are powerful and precise. They can carry explosives and reach distant targets.
The new unit will also use artificial intelligence. Asgard is the British battlefield AI network. It consists of sensors, artificial intelligence, and weapons. It speeds up battlefield response.
The new British contingent will arrive in Estonia next April.