US military equipment in transit through Estonia, bound for Finland

Lt Col Jay Ireland, commander of the US Army's 1-8 Cavalry Battalion, said: "The rapid movement of a Combined Arms Battalion, including Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles, demonstrates the US Government's commitment to our NATO Allies and the US military's capabilities as a credible combat force."

"I look forward to demonstrating our readiness, lethality, and firepower across the Baltics and in Finland," Lt Col Ireland continued, via a US Embassy in Tallinn press release.

1-8 Cavalry Battalion is currently based in Pabrade, Lithuania, and has its home base in Texas.

Exercise Arrow 23 will also involve the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the US Army and will see equipment sent via Latvia and Estonia, onward by ferry through the Port of Tallinn, to Helsinki.

Since December 2022, the US has deployed HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems and an infantry company to Estonia and regularly participates in Estonian military exercises such as Spring Storm, BALTOPS, and Locked Shields.

Additionally, over 70 US Marines arrived in Estonia last week, on a four-month deployment which will include exercises with members of the Estonian Defence Forces.