British troops stationed in Estonia as part of a NATO deterrence mission have simulated attacks on Vladimir Putin's home city of St Petersburg using new £80,000 jet-powered drones. The Nyan drones, with a range exceeding 150 miles, can reach the center of St Petersburg from the soldiers' base in northern Estonia, according to a report by The Sun.
Wargame Scenario Targets St Petersburg
A gunner from the Army's Royal Artillery revealed that troops have tested flying the one-way attack UAVs towards St Petersburg as part of a wargame scenario. The soldier told The Sun: “On an exercise we tested whether it can reach St Petersburg from here. It all depends on enemy air defences and electronic warfare, which affects how much we would have to dog-leg around.” The Nyan drones are designed to destroy targets such as oil depots and command posts.
Transition from Armoured Battlegroup to Mobile Anti-Armour Force
The Nyan drones are replacing Britain's Challenger 2 tanks stationed in Estonia. From April next year, UK forces will transition from an armoured battlegroup to a “Mobile Anti-Armour Force.” This marks a major shift in how British forces reinforce NATO's eastern flank, reflecting lessons from the Ukraine war. The number of British soldiers in Estonia is also set to increase from about 800 to 1,200 under the new plans.
Faster Deployment and Modern Conflict Readiness
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated that the new force will be able to “deploy, disperse and demonstrate combat readiness more rapidly than a traditional armoured formation.” The changes “reflect the realities of modern conflict” and are tailored to the threats facing Estonia. A senior Army source told The Sun: “A tank can deny Russia ground, a drone can punish them.”
NATO Warning and Future Upgrades
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that Russia could be ready to attack the alliance by 2030, with the Baltics widely seen as the most likely target. The Challenger 2 tanks will be retasked when they return to the UK, while 148 of Britain's battle tank fleet are set to be upgraded to Challenger 3s. The MoD was contacted for comment.
