Helicopters flew over Watford today bound for Estonia to 'repel a credible threat from Russia'

The five helicopters were spotted flying over the town shortly before 11.30am, and councillor Asif Khan managed to capture a photo of them flying in formation.

The Apaches left the UK today and were headed for Estonia in northern Europe – and with clear blue skies, the military aircraft could hardly be missed.

Watford Observer:

Final checks are carried out on five Apache helicopters. Photo credit: PA

Five of the UK's Apache attack helicopters have been deployed to Estonia as a deterrent to a "very credible threat" from Russia.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson watched the aircraft take off from Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk.

They will form part of Nato's enhanced forward presence (eFP), which was established to deter potential aggression from the Kremlin, during their three-month deployment.

Watford Observer:

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson meets personnel from 663 Squadron of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps at Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk. Photo credit: PA

Mr Williamson, speaking at the airfield, said: "It's a very credible threat that we see from Russia and part of the reason that we're deploying five Apache attack helicopters is making sure that we're constantly adapting to a changing situation, but this is about deterrents.

"This is about Nato nations standing together in unity as one and you see Great Britain playing the largest role in enhanced forward presence with the largest number of service personnel deployed.

"The enhancement of that deployment with the Apache attack helicopters is really vital and very, very important and it's been very warmly welcomed by so many nations."

The Apaches will be supported in Estonia by Wildcat battlefield reconnaissance helicopters.

A further 110 UK personnel have been deployed to the Baltics as part of Operation CABRIT, taking the total there to around 1,000 UK personnel.