A convoy of Foxhound vehicles loaded with military kit is shown driving across a road through a training area with trees on the horizon.

NATO conducted deployment of the new Allied Reaction Force

Exercise Steadfast Dart

Throughout January and February 2025, NATO will conduct Exercise Steadfast Dart 25 to practice the deployment of the new Allied Reaction Force, which can rapidly reinforce NATO’s eastern flank. These important exercises will showcase the Alliance’s readiness, capability, and commitment to defend every inch of NATO territory. 

three soldiers wearing camouflage uniform and holding their rifles are laid down in a grassy area on a training exercise. The middle soldier is facing the camera.

Thousands of UK personnel will continue to deploy to Europe in the next two months to spearhead a major NATO exercise.  

  • UK leading contribution with over 2600 personnel and 730 vehicles deploying to NATO’s eastern flank.

  • First deployment under new NATO Allied Reaction Force.

  • Deployment demonstrates UK’s unshakeable commitment to NATO and European Security.

The exercises will see the UK Armed Forces join thousands of personnel from ten NATO Allies, operating across Romania and Bulgaria coinciding with the anniversary of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

NATO updates on Exercise Steadfast Dart 25

Exercise Steadfast Dart demonstrates our unshakeable commitment to NATO and highlights the UK key leadership role in the Alliance.

MINISTER FOR THE ARMED FORCES, LUKE POLLARD MP

A Foxhound vehicle is shown driving across a road stocked with kit and operated by soldiers. Behind the vehicle is a small hill where onto shows the flags of ten various different NATO countries.

1 (UK) Div will deploy 7 Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team with additional Force Elements

730 vehicles including Foxhound and Jackals will deploy by road, air, and sea to Eastern Europe where they will conduct two exercises before returning to the UK at the end of February.

Image shows a Jackal vehicle manned with soldiers and weapons. The vehicle is covered in camouflage while on a training exercise in a wooded area.

Length

A Jackal vehicle is being manned with the weapon operated by a soldier. The vehicle sits in a field on exercise.

5.39m

Max speed

A Jackal vehicle is being manned with the weapon operated by a soldier. The vehicle is seen driving down a road in a wooded area on exercise.

80 kph

Height

Four Jackal vehicles are driving in convoy through am empty green field with vast space around them. Soldiers are shown walking around the vehicles and the military kit is in the vehicles.

1.97m

Learn more about our NATO Allied Reaction Force

Commanding NATO role for 1st (UK) Division

Commanding NATO role for 1st (UK) Division

As we approach the three-year anniversary of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we must continue to strengthen our collective defences together to deter Putin effectively.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP

Jackal vehicles driving in convoy on a dirt road on exercise

JACKAL 2

Jackal 2 is a high mobility weapons platform, with a unique air-bag suspension system allowing rapid movement across varying terrain. It is designed to protect personnel against roadside explosions and mine attacks.

Armed with either a Heavy Machine Gun or a Grenade Machine Gun as the main weapons system in the fire support role, with General Purpose Machine Gun for crew protection. The forward gun ring would give a 360 degree sweep of fire. 

FOXHOUND

The Foxhound is at the cutting edge of protected patrol vehicle technology and provides unprecedented levels of blast protection for its size and weight. With a top speed of 70 mph it can still protect against improvised explosive devices thanks to its v-shaped hull.

Foxhound vehicles driving down a road in convoy

730 vehicles including Foxhound and Jackals will deploy to conduct two exercises in Eastern Europe before returning to the UK at the end of February.

Two Foxhound vehicles photographed on exercise. The vehicles can be seen manned by soldiers.

Height

Two Foxhound vehicles photographed on exercise. The vehicles can be seen manned by soldiers.

2.35m

Length

Multiple Foxhound vehicles photographed on exercise driving in convoy. The vehicles can be seen manned by soldiers.

5.32m

Width

Two Foxhound vehicles photographed on training. The vehicles can be seen manned by soldiers. Four soldiers in camouflage uniform, including one do handler are show with weapons up walking beside the Foxhounds.

2.10m

Speed

Foxhound vehicles driving down a road in convoy

Can reach a maximum speed of 112 km/h (70 mph)

As we’re looking forward to deployment, I’m ready to get more hands on in the job, work with foreign armies, and see how they work

Lance Corporal Sandy MacClennan, 4TH Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland

Highlander Marcus Watson reflects on pre-deployment training for Exercise Steadfast Dart and how live fire and tactical training felt beneficial:

“I enjoyed days like this, it gets us out of camp. I like to get in and amongst the action and get the job done.

“Every day is a learning curve so it’s good we have each other, there’s always something you can learn from someone else as we all have different views and ways of approaching different scenarios, so it was good to be out here and develop as a team.” 

Soldier in camouflage uniform shown sitting down for rest holding his rifle up. The soldier has a NATO Allied Reaction Force flash on his arm.