In the forests and training areas of north east Poland, British soldiers are demonstrating once again that the United Kingdom remains a dependable and capable military ally.
Troops from 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, known as The Poachers, are deployed on NATO’s eastern flank as part of a sustained effort to deter aggression and uphold collective security across Europe.
Around 150 personnel from the Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group are currently on the ground under Operation Cabrit, the United Kingdom’s contribution to NATO’s Forward Land Forces. Working alongside American, Croatian, Romanian, and Polish troops, they form part of a permanent, combat ready presence designed to reassure allies and send a clear signal of resolve.
Their role is direct and purposeful, to support stability in the region, deter potential adversaries, and stand ready to operate as a unified force if required. Based at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area, the British contingent operates Jackal, Foxhound, and Coyote armoured vehicles, while working in close coordination with the United States Army’s 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, equipped with M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks.
They are supported by a broad range of British Army units, including elements of the Royal Artillery, Intelligence Corps, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Logistic Corps, Royal Signals, and Royal Military Police. Romanian forces contribute air defence capabilities, while Croatian troops provide mechanised infantry support, underscoring the multinational strength of the deployment.
Since arriving in October, The Poachers have maintained an intensive training schedule. Initial integration exercises quickly progressed into complex urban warfare scenarios, designed to prepare troops for operations in built up environments. These culminated in battalion level, combined arms live fire exercises conducted alongside the US led battlegroup.
Specialist elements have also sharpened their capabilities. The Anti Tank Platoon has refined its use of guided weapons systems, while infantry units have worked closely with NATO air assets to practise close air support coordination with aircraft from the Baltic Air Policing mission.
One of the most demanding phases of the deployment involved a large scale road move from Poland through Lithuania and Latvia into Estonia. This tested not only logistics and endurance, but also the ability of multinational forces to operate seamlessly across borders. The exercise concluded with Winter Camp, where troops proved their effectiveness in harsh winter conditions.
Reflecting on the deployment, Captain Hamish MacKellar of 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment emphasised the strength and cohesion of the Alliance. 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.”
He added: “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.”
Operation Cabrit forms part of NATO’s wider Forward Land Forces framework, established in 2017 to strengthen deterrence along the Alliance’s eastern flank. The United Kingdom remains one of NATO’s leading framework nations, alongside the United States, Germany, and Canada, leading the battlegroup in Estonia while also contributing forces to Poland.
What distinguishes the current deployment is the depth of integration between allied forces. Rather than operating in parallel, units are fully embedded within a single command structure, with British and American personnel working interchangeably under shared leadership. This level of coordination ensures that, in the event of a crisis, NATO forces can respond immediately and effectively.
As part of the most significant strengthening of European collective defence in a generation, the presence of British troops in Poland highlights the United Kingdom’s continued commitment to security on the continent. In the months ahead, The Poachers will complete further training before handing over responsibilities to The Light Dragoons, ensuring that Britain’s contribution to NATO remains constant, credible, and ready.
