Fears of Russian aggression to the Baltic States have led to British tanks, troops and other equipment being sent back to Germany.
This move is three decades ago after thousands of UK troops were evacuated following the Cold War.
But with the growing presence of Russian troops on Europe’s eastern borders, Britain and its Nato allies are stepping up their presence in the region.
It will allow for a swifter response to any Russian thrust into Latvia, Lithuania or Estonia by Vladimir Putin’s forces.
Fears of Russian aggression to the Baltic States have led to British tanks, troops and other equipment being sent back to Germany.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told MPs yesterday: ‘Readiness and presence deters our adversaries.
‘Sitting in Tidworth [military camp in Wiltshire]Russia is not to be underestimated. They are constantly changing and exercising their readiness profiles in order to keep everyone guessing.
‘Nato countries are deeply concerned by that activity.’
Next year, equipment, soldiers, and civilian contractors required to maintain military hardware, will be returning to Sennelager, central Germany. This is an important training ground for British soldiers following the Second World War.
According to military leaders, the Kremlin will be deterred from seeking territory by the establishment in Germany of the NATO Forward Holding Base.
Similar hubs will be set up in Kenya and Oman to improve the UK’s operational reach in Africa and the Middle East.
Sennelager already boasts a training area covering 45-miles for practicing large-scale maneuvers as well as an urban warfare training facility. Its military infrastructure will now be expanded.
Three decades later, tens of thousand of UK personnel had been evicted following the Cold War.
Tobias Ellwood, a former defense minister suggested that the base be moved to a more convenient location because it is located 800 miles away from the closest Baltic state.
He said: ‘The regrouping of Nato’s defence posture post-Afghanistan is welcome given the immediate security threat to Europe is once again from Russia.
“But since the Cold War the frontline has been moving it is puzzling for Nato to place its Forward Holding Base closer east than in central Germany.
‘Poland would have been a better choice, or even one of the Baltic states. This would have sent a stronger signal to Russia about the alliance’s commitment to stand by our allies.’
The return to Germany was announced as part of the ‘Future Soldier’ plan, the Government’s biggest overhaul of the British Army in a generation.
But with the growing presence of Russian troops on Europe’s eastern borders, Britain and its Nato allies are stepping up their presence in the region
As the Army remodels to address modern threats such as cyber war, smaller bases in Britain will close and historic regiments will be reduced in size. Some units may also disappear.
Yesterday, five hundred soldiers from 3 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps were informed that they would be disbanded. Meanwhile, 3 Medical Regiment (RAMC), will also be axed.
All troops will either be redeployed or given the option of voluntary redundancy. With 3,000 available posts, the infantry will suffer most.
In total, the Army is expected to shrink to 73,000 regularly-trained soldiers in 2025. It will be its smallest ever 300 year.
The Ministry of Defence said last night: ‘Future Soldier is about delivering a modern British Army that is fit for the challenges of the future.
‘Regional hubs are being established in Germany, Kenya and Oman. This forward deployment provides improved global access and enhanced interoperability, to respond rapidly when required.’