PLANS to send 20,000 troops from across Britain’s armed forces to join a Nato military exercise will end in a nuclear exchange, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) warned today.

On Monday, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed an announcement made by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in October that armed forces personnel from across the Royal Navy, RAF and British Army will take place in the upcoming Nato Steadfast Defender Exercise.

The exercise, due to take place in February and March, reportedly aims to practise repelling a Russian attack against a member of the alliance.

Mr Shapps said the drills would provide “vital reassurance against the [Russian President Vladimir] Putin menace.”

He added that it is one of “Nato’s largest deployments since the end of the cold war.”

The British force will be joined by troops from the other 30 Nato members, as well as Sweden.

CND general secretary Kate Hudson said: “Nato military planners are keen to wargame a conflict with Russia and this will no doubt involve planning for the potential use of nuclear weapons.

“The US deployment of F-35 warplanes and new B61-12 guided nuclear bombs to Europe is in full swing and Nato’s nuclear doctrine allows for first-strike attacks.

“With an escalating war in the Middle East, and the continuing war in Ukraine, now is not the time for bellicose talk and provocative exercises.”

Ms Hudson said that the government must take steps for a ceasefire in both Gaza and Ukraine rather than escalating tensions.

“Either of these wars could go nuclear and they have to be brought to a peaceful and just conclusion before the worst happens,” she said.