The United Kingdom plans to withdraw its Challenger 2 tanks from Estonia, where they have been stationed near the Russian border since 2017. This was reported by the British newspaper The Sun.
According to the newspaper, the transfer of the armoured vehicles back to the United Kingdom is expected to be completed by the end of April next year. After returning home, the tanks are set to be upgraded to the Challenger 3 standard.
Reconnaissance and strike drones are expected to replace the Challenger 2 tanks in Estonia. The British command has linked this decision to changes in battlefield tactics, in which unmanned aerial vehicles are playing an increasingly important role.
London therefore intends to restructure its military presence on NATO’s eastern flank by reducing the tank component and placing greater emphasis on unmanned systems.