Britain is to deploy batteries of high precision long range missiles on Russian’s border for the first time since the Cold War.

The long range rockets will be moved to Estonia next year amid fears Russian President Vladimir Putin could be planning to invade the country.

The rockets are part of a huge military build-up by NATO countries in order to defend the Baltic States.

Around 800 UK troops will deploy to Estonia next year as part of a 15-nation force, including soldiers from the US, France and Denmark.

Britain is to deploy batteries of high precision long range missiles on Russian’s border for the first time since the Cold War (file photo)

The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) fire as many as 12 missiles per minute and are capable of blowing up Russian tanks over a range of up to 45 miles.

The 200lb warheads are guided towards their targets by GPS and are fired from missile launchers bolted onto armoured vehicles. At least 25 Royal Artillery soldiers are expected to deploy to Estonia to operate the GMLRS systems.

The rockets were used with devastating results in Afghanistan from 2007 to blast open Taliban bunkers. Some 410 missiles were fired at the jihadi’s tunnel networks in Helmand Province during the campaign.

Britain’s GMLRS systems will be complemented in Estonia by a UK force of drones, RAF Typhoon jets and Challenger 2 tanks.

Concerns for the security of Estonia and other Baltic States have grown following the US Presidential Election. During the campaign Donald Trump challenged a NATO Article 5 principle that the alliance will defend any members from military aggression.

The rockets will be moved to Estonia next year amid fears Russian President Vladimir Putin could be planning to invade the country

President Elect Trump suggested that in the future US protection for the Baltic States would depend on these countries meeting NATO defence spending targets.

Last night, former British Army commander General Sir Richard Shirreff, an expert on Russian affairs, told The Mail on Sunday that he believed that it would be necessary for hundreds of UK troops to remain in Estonia for the foreseeable future in a bid to thwart Russian aggression.

He said: ‘Unless it is a permanent force then it is not credible. The 800-strong UK deployment is a start, but just that. I would also like to see Britain taking the lead in the protection of the Baltic States, in particular after Brexit. NATO as a whole must make a statement that it is willing and capable of defending these countries.

‘I fear that unless President Elect Trump reaffirms the US’s commitment to Article 5 that Russian will exploit this situation, absolutely certainly it will, and this could include Russian adventurism in the Baltic States.