Hundreds of British troops are to be deployed to eastern Europe as part of a show of strength by NATO against Russia.

At the NATO summit in Warsaw, David Cameron will announce the deployment of a 500-strong battalion to Estonia with a further 150 troops to be stationed in Poland "on an enduring basis".

Britain is also to take over the leadership of the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task (VJTF) from next year with 3,000 troops in the UK and Germany on standby to move with as little as five days' notice.

The move comes amid continuing concerns among the Western alliance regarding the intentions of President Vladimir Putin following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

NATO is describing the move as a "persistent" commitment, but Moscow is expected to criticise it as a breach of the 1997 Founding Act.


That is debatable, however, and NATO will argue the security climate has changed,

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Cameron said: "This summit is a chance for us to reiterate our strong support for Ukraine and our other Eastern allies to deter Russian aggression.

Image: David Cameron will fly to Warsaw in the new Prime Ministerial jet

"Actions speak louder than words and the UK is proud to be taking the lead role, deploying troops across Eastern Europe. It is yet another example of the UK leading in NATO."

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told Sky News: "We are playing a leading role and are among four countries that will be deploying a large number of troops in Estonia and Poland as a reassurance to countries on the eastern side of NATO that they will be properly protected against Russian aggression.

He added: "We will be making every effort to emphasise that just because we are leaving the European Union, that doesn't mean that Britain will be abandoning Europe."

Mr Cameron, US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Francois Hollande are meeting with other leaders from the alliance and world bodies in the Polish capital.

NATO will attempt to show a united front just weeks after Britain, one of its senior members, voted to leave the EU.

President Obama will reassure NATO that the decision will not affect the collective strength of the 28-member alliance.

Mr Obama will meet Donald Tusk and Jean Claude Junker, Presidents of the European Council and European Commission respectively.

He is expected to offer them advice on how to approach Britain's withdrawal from the Union.

The fight against Islamic State and ongoing mission in Afghanistan will also be high on the agenda at the two-day meeting.

Mr Cameron will travel to Warsaw on the new Prime Ministerial plane.

It will be the first flight for the converted RAF Voyager aircraft, which has been especially adapted with business class seats and secure communications.