British Army returns to Germany in face of Russian threat

Three new bases will open but troop numbers cut from 82,000 to 73,000
A Nato base in Sennelager, Germany, will become a new base for one of the army’s new land regional hubs, along with sites in Kenya and Oman
A Nato base in Sennelager, Germany, will become a new base for one of the army’s new land regional hubs, along with sites in Kenya and Oman
ALAMY

Hundreds of vehicles including tanks and drones will be deployed back to Germany in a government U-turn as the army builds one of its three big overseas hubs in the country.

As part of the biggest transformation of the service in two decades, the army wants a brigade-sized force of some 250 positioned closer to eastern Europe in the event of war with Russia.

A Nato forward holding base in Sennelager will become a site for one of the army’s new land regional hubs, along with sites in Kenya and Oman.

A “substantial number” of armoured vehicles are being deployed at the Sennelager base
A “substantial number” of armoured vehicles are being deployed at the Sennelager base
ALAMY

Lieutenant General Ralph Wooddisse, commander field army, said that the sites would enable the army to “spread more rapidly” and “be ready to deploy from those should it be required”. “I particularly emphasise Germany,