The UK's involvement in European air defence and long-range missile development is a sign of the "new determination to work more closely" with continental allies, Defence Secretary John Healey has said.Thousands of UK troops will be put on stand-by to deploy to Estonia's border with Russia under a new agreement Britain has signed with the Baltic nation in another sign of the commitment to European defence, Mr Healey said at a meeting of Nato counterparts.

The UK's involvement in European air defence and long-range missile development is a sign of the "new determination to work more closely" with continental allies, Defence Secretary John Healey has said.Thousands of UK troops will be put on stand-by to deploy to Estonia's border with Russia under a new agreement Britain has signed with the Baltic nation in another sign of the commitment to European defence, Mr Healey said at a meeting of Nato counterparts.