Up close with the British Army's lethal artillery on Nato's eastern flank

Having fired the first rounds of the Second World War, 19 Regiment Royal Artillery has been at the forefront of lethal artillery for more than a century.

Today they are deployed in Estonia as part of Nato's Enhanced Forward Presence in Eastern Europe, protecting the alliance's eastern flank that borders Russia.

The regiment's firepower is provided by the AS90 self-propelled Howitzer gun, while UK's Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) are operated by gunners from 26 Regiment Royal Artillery.

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Forces News had a rundown of the Royal Artillery's role in Estonia and saw the capability of its guns in action, during Exercise Winter Camp – which has tested troops to the limit in the snowbound, frozen forests that make up the Estonia landscape.

As part of the annual winter drill, British troops, alongside allies from America, Denmark, France and Estonia, are training with British artillery.

And, having the British artillery in Estonia is a deterrent to Russia according to Major James Hudson, Commanding Officer, 127 Dragon Battery, 19 Regiment Royal Artillery.

The UK has donated Howitzers and MLRS to aid Ukraine with its defence against Russia.

Sergeant Shane Coakley, Detachment Commander 19 Regiment Royal Artillery, says the war in Ukraine has shown that British firepower is a "big asset."

The AS90 can fire three 155mm shells up to 15 miles in 10 seconds.  

While the firing capabilities of the Howitzers may be impressive, it would be meaningless if they weren't able to hide and stay on the move, undetected by the enemy.

"Everyone is looking for us. There are new systems out there that will track shells leaving," Sgt Coakley said.

"And as soon as they pinpoint that, they don't care where it is, they will take the whole grid square out."

The MLRS can achieve ranges between 15 and 84km, with an impressive accuracy of within four metres of the intended target.

This level of accuracy at long range has been a game-changer in Ukraine as the British-donated MLRS and its US equivalent, Himars, continue to prove a key force multiplier for Kyiv.