Kier Starmer sent 2,000 British soldiers for NATO drills as World War 3 fears soar
Thousands of British soldiers have been sent out as part of a major NATO operation, as concerns grow over a possible larger war involving Russia. Earlier this week, the UK’s main aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, left Portsmouth to begin an important eight-month mission called Operation Highmast. This mission will involve joint military training with allies in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific regions.
At the beginning, around 2,500 personnel will be involved — including about 2,100 from the UK — but that number will grow to over 4,500 during major training exercises. The goal is to show strength and unity among NATO allies, especially at a time when Russia is issuing serious warnings. A top Russian official, Sergei Shoigu, recently suggested that any Western troops entering Ukraine could lead to a direct fight with NATO, and even said Russia might consider using nuclear weapons if it feels threatened.
The Royal Navy says this deployment is meant to show that the UK and its allies are serious about defending themselves and standing up to any possible threats. Commodore James Blackmore, who is leading the mission from HMS *Prince of Wales*, said this operation shows that the UK is both safe at home and powerful abroad.
The carrier group includes not only British ships like HMS *Dauntless* and HMS *Richmond*, but also warships from Canada and Norway, and a support tanker from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. They’ll also be supported by F-35B fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and around 750 air personnel.
The training activities will include air defense drills near France, operations with an Italian-led carrier group, and later missions in Japan and Australia. The Defence Secretary, John Healey, said this shows the UK is one of the few countries that can lead a large and modern mission like this, and that the Royal Navy is ready to respond to today’s threats.
These actions are taking place at a time when the world is becoming more unstable. Russia’s defence minister has claimed that Europe is preparing for war with Russia by 2030, and warned that a direct conflict between NATO and Russia could lead to nuclear war. He added that Russia could use nuclear weapons if attacked, even if the attack is with regular weapons.
As the UK strengthens its ties with NATO allies, the captain of HMS *Prince of Wales*, Will Blackett, said the ship is an incredible piece of technology, but it only works because of the dedication and hard work of the 1,600 people on board. The mission is expected to continue until December.
