4th Armoured Brigade will be based at Catterick Garrison.

The defence secretary said the 4,400 troops would be back by 2009 and would re-role as a mechanised brigade. The brigade has been in Germany since 1981.

An extra 2,200 troops will join the two Armoured Brigades remaining in Germany, making 21,800 personnel based there.

Meanwhile, 19 Brigade will become a Light Brigade and move from Catterick to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The restructuring is part of the Future Army Structure programme announced in December 2004.

Operational experience and our assessment of future threats have shown us that we need to rebalance the Army... John Reid Defence secretary

"The re-roling of these two brigades is another step towards developing an army fit for the challenges of the future," John Reid said.

"Operational experience and our assessment of future threats have shown us that we need to rebalance the Army to ensure it is structured and equipped to conduct the full range of tasks we ask of it."

The Ministry of Defence said the redeployment of the 4th Armoured Brigade was "in line with the continuing policy to concentrate the mechanised capability in the UK".

Mr Reid said Britain expected to keep the remaining 21,800 defence personnel in Osnabruck and Munster garrisons.

"..where we will continue to enjoy excellent relations with the local population and contribute to the strong UK/German bilateral relationship."

The 1st The Queens Dragoon Guards will remain in Osnabruck and 1 Close Support Medical Regiment in Munster.