Nato is getting ready to fight back against Russian aggression as it poses a ‘real and present danger’ to the Baltic States, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said yesterday. He told of the threat to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia as Vladimir Putin continues to ‘test us’ by deploying submarines and warplanes near British territory. Warning of a new Cold War, he also said the UK must renew Britain’s nuclear capabilities as Russia steps up its own defences – but denied suggestions of an arms race. Scroll down for video Visit: Defence secretary Michael Fallon (left) was speaking from Sierra Leone, where he was congratulating British troops on their work at defeating Ebola
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Defence Secretary Michael Fallon tells of threat to Latvia and Lithuania
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Mr Putin is as great a threat to Europe as Islamic State, says Mr Fallon
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Warns he continues to 'test us' with submarines near British territory
Nato
He added: ‘It is a very real and present danger, he (Mr Putin) has been testing @placeholder all last year.
Nato
In response to the fears, the UK will send troops to eight different sites across Eastern Europe and is creating a @placeholder ‘spearhead’ force lead by 1,000 British troops, ready to be deployed within 48 hours.
Baltic States
I’m worried about his pressure on the @placeholder, the way he is testing Nato – the submarines and the aircraft.’
Nato
I’m worried about his pressure on the Baltics, the way he is testing @placeholder – the submarines and the aircraft.’
Nato
He said it was ‘important’ that Britain had secured the 2 per cent spending of GDP on defence last year – but refused to say whether the 2 per cent @placeholder target would be hit following the election.
Nato
He also stressed the importance of the building up of a 5,000-strong @placeholder high readiness task force by 2017.