British forces are on the ground in Poland helping to protect NATO's eastern flank.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, at work during Operation Cabrit in Poland.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, at work during Operation Cabrit in Poland.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, at work during Operation Cabrit in Poland.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, at work during Operation Cabrit in Poland.
A Sniper from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, at work during Operation Cabrit in Poland.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, at work during Operation Cabrit in Poland.
One hundred and fifty soldiers from the Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment – known as ‘The Poachers’ – are currently on the ground, demonstrating the UK's unwavering commitment to collective defence.
What's the mission?
Working on Operation Cabrit (Poland), the Alliance’s enduring mission in Eastern Europe, alongside American, Croatian, Romanian, and Polish forces, the British troops form part of NATO's Forward Land Forces (FLF). In simple terms it is a year-round, combat-ready force designed to protect allies and deter aggression.
“This deployment is the epitome of showing NATO’s capability. The fact that we're out here, routinely, training shoulder to shoulder with our NATO partners is real, tangible proof of an Alliance that is strong, committed, and ready. It is a visible and credible demonstration of NATO’s collective defence.”
Based on Bemowo Piskie Training Area in North-East Poland, The Poachers operate Jackal, Foxhound and Coyote armoured vehicles alongside the US Army’s 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment 1st Cavalry Division (3-8 Warhorse), who are equipped with the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank. Supporting The Poachers are soldiers from the 4th and 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, the Intelligence Corps, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, the Royal Logistic Corps, the Royal Signals, and the Royal Military Police.
They are joined by Romanians who provide air defence and Croatian troops who provide a mechanised infantry role.
Their role is clear: reassure the local population, deter adversaries, and stand ready to fight as one force if required.
What have they been up to?
Since their arrival in October, the Poachers have maintained a relentless tempo of training and operations.
They began with low-level integrated training, before moving into demanding urban warfare training designed to test their ability to fight effectively in built‑up areas and culminating in battalion‑level combined‑arms live‑fire exercises alongside the US‑led battlegroup.
The Anti‑Tank Platoon has honed their ability with guided weapons systems. These are the same weapons that proved decisive on the battlefields of Ukraine. Infantry elements have worked closely with NATO air assets, practising the coordination of close air support with aircraft from the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission.
One of the deployment’s most challenging phases saw the Battlegroup conduct a major road move from Poland through Lithuania and Latvia into Estonia, culminating in Exercise Winter Camp, where troops proved their ability to operate and fight in extreme winter conditions.
A deployment that matters
For the Officer Commanding Anti-Tank Platoon, Captain Hamish MacKellar, the deployment has highlighted the true strength of the Alliance.
“We work together incredibly effectively; we’ve been designed this way from the ground up. This is the 18th six-month rotation, and each rotation has proved repeatedly not only that we can do it, but we can do it better each time.”
He said: “This deployment is the epitome of showing NATO’s capability. The fact that we're out here, routinely, training shoulder to shoulder with our NATO partners is real, tangible proof of an Alliance that is strong, committed, and ready. It is a visible and credible demonstration of NATO’s collective defence.
“We work together incredibly effectively; we’ve been designed this way from the ground up. This is the 18th six-month rotation, and each rotation has proved repeatedly not only that we can do it, but we can do it better each time.”
The bigger picture
Operation Cabrit forms part of NATO’s Forward Land Forces that were established in 2017.
The United Kingdom is one of NATO’s four framework nations alongside the United States, Germany and Canada that are all leading multinational Battlegroups across the region. The UK leads in Estonia whilst also contributing forces to Poland.
What makes this deployment different is how closely everyone is working together. Rather than training side‑by‑side, they are operating as a single multinational unit, with American commanders directing British soldiers and British commanders directing American teams.
This matters because modern warfare moves fast. If a crisis hits, there is no time to figure out how to work together. The relationships, communications systems, and shared tactics being built right now are as critical as the equipment on the ground.
What's next?
These 150 soldiers are part of the most significant strengthening of European collective defence in a generation. A force that is ready, integrated and positioned exactly where it is needed most.
In the coming months, The Poachers will conclude their Support Weapon Cadres alongside their NATO partners and prepare to handover to The Light Dragoons.
