British army contribution to NATO’s eastern flank hailed ‘Win-win’

The British army deployment to Eastern Europe is proving to be a “win-win” as NATO forces gain valuable lessons ahead of a potential future regional conflict, a polish military expert has told Express.co.uk. UK Armed Forces currently operate alongside a multinational force stationed in the Baltics as part of NATO’s “Enhanced Forward Presence.” Dr Jacek Raubo told Express.co.uk that the militaries of frontline countries such as Estonia and Poland have been able to pass on valuable lessons to the British Army.”For British troops, it is also very important to be here in the eastern flank because from Estonia to Poland, they’re receiving a very large number of lessons learned, which is important to create a better force and better concept for future forces in the UK,” he told a reporter at Defence24’s offices in Warsaw.The defence expert added that the current war in Ukraine has seen the British military shift from a force geared for operations outside of Europe to one better able to fight on the continent alongside allied nations.Mr Raubo explained: “Because, as we know very well before this war and the main direction was mostly dedicated to Expeditionary Forces, Royal Marines and also carrier battle groups which will have the opportunity to operate far away from Europe mostly, maybe in the Pacific where the United Kingdom is trying to build up their presence.”JUST IN: Mississippi election websites attacked by Russian hackers Dr Jacek Raubo says British army deployment to NATO is ‘a win win’ (Image: EXPRESS) British troops currently operate as part of NATO mission in eastern Europe (Image: GETTY)He told Express.co.uk that since the beginning of large-scale support for Ukraine starting in 2021 Nato members have awakened to the need to cooperate and deliver multi-domain capabilities to better counter Russia.”So I think this is the win-win situation because the United Kingdom is providing very strategic support to the eastern flank, with, of course, the core inside NATO but also with this military assistance to Ukraine.”But on the other hand, there is something which [eastern NATO states] can provide from Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine to the United Kingdom because  I think their armies are a great provider of these new concepts.”Because they can learn something about the multidomain battlefield which is happening right now in Ukraine but also which might be in the future, I hope not, but it might be for sure in some other regions.”NATO’s growing military cooperation comes as Russia’s military doctrines appear to become increasingly unstuck in Ukraine.Moscow’s recent use of loitering UAVs has been taken by Dr Raubo as a sign of Moscow’s growing reliance on “ad hoc” military methods.He told Express.co.uk: ” I think Russian doctrine will be changed just days after this war because they are right now using ad hoc methods.”Mostly we see that with these Iranian drones or taking munitions from North Korea.DON’T MISS:Russia gives Iran seized British weapons [INSIGHT]Sean Penn hands over Oscar to Zelensky as Ukraine war rages on [ANALYSIS]UK to send fighter jets and Chinooks to Russia’s doorstep [VIDEO] Military Power UK (Image: EXPRESS)”Because this is something which they need to have suddenly, right now, right here.”This is not a doctrine,” he added. “They are trying to fulfil some gaps.””Russa will have important lessons coming from various frontlines, but they were well prepared to invade Ukraine and I think they are still taking these defeats because of it.”