The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) will deploy Typhoon fighter jets to Romania next year, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has revealed.

The Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby will be based at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase in Romania for up to four months.

These fighter jets will take part in air policing missions to ensure security of the Black Sea allies.

Besides supporting the Nato Southern Air Policing mission, the UK will also send one of four battalions to Nato’s Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic States and Poland.

Fallon said that 800 British troops will be sent to Estonia, with France and Denmark contributing further troops.

Expected to begin in May next year, the deployment would include armoured Infantry, equipped with Warrior armoured fighting vehicles, tactical UAVs, and a troop of Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks.

"Backed by a rising defence budget this deployment of air, land and sea forces shows that we will continue to play a leading role in Nato."

Fallon added: “Backed by a rising defence budget this deployment of air, land and sea forces shows that we will continue to play a leading role in Nato, supporting the defence and security of our allies from the north to the south of the alliance.”

The deployment is backed by a £178bn equipment plan and defence budget. It will also provide reassurance in the Western Balkan region from early next year.

Additionally, the UK signed Instrument of Acceptance for Montenegro to join Nato, becoming the first major ally to complete the process.

Image: UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon speaks to the press ahead of Nato's meeting of Defence Ministers. Photo: © Crown copyright.