ARRC JOURNAL
DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATO RESPONSE FORCE( NRF)
Maj Alex Michael( GBR-A)
The NATO Response Force( NRF) provides the Alliance with the capability to conduct a rapid demonstration of force and provide an‘ early entry’ military presence in response to an emerging crisis. This article considers the work conducted by Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps( HQ ARRC), as the NRF Land Component Headquarters for 2017, to further develop the NRF concept.
How did the NRF concept develop before 2017?
The NRF concept was launched in November 2002, following the Prague Summit. Subsequently, during a meeting in June 2014, Allied Defence Ministers discussed the strategic implications of Russia’ s actions in and around Ukraine. The implications of a resurgent Russia, coupled with a concern that the NRF was already falling short of its mission, led Ministers to agree to develop a Readiness Action Plan( RAP) detailing how NATO would respond to the challenges posed by Russia. The RAP was to be ready for approval at the September 2014 Wales Summit.
The two mutually supporting pillars of the RAP are the Assurance Measures and the Adaptation Measures. Assurance enacted through a continuous presence and activity in the eastern part of the Alliance, and adaptation carried out to address the current and evolving security
The Readiness Action Plan was agreed at the Wales Summit challenges faced by the Alliance. Under changes introduced through the RAP, the Land portion of the NRF was enhanced to make it more responsive, more flexible and significantly larger and more capable. Three echelons were formed at graduated readiness;
• The Very High Readiness Joint Task Force Land( VJTF( L)), a multi-national brigade-size force held at 5-7 days notice to move, with Spearhead elements deployable within 48-72 hours;
• An Initial Follow-on Forces Group( IFFG), at 45 days notice to move;
• A Follow-on Forces Group( FFG).
In addition, speed of deployment would be increased by establishing the necessary strategic lift mechanisms, a Joint Logistic Support Group( JLSG) would be formed to provide theatre level logistic support, and advanced planning would enable accelerated decisionmaking. A new and ambitious exercise programme was also designed with an accompanying STRATCOM plan that would publicise the new capabilities to friends( assurance) and potential adversaries( deterrence) alike.
Finally, regional HQs such as Multi- National Corps-North East( MNC-NE) based in Poland and Multi-National Division-South East( MND-SE) based in Romania would take control of assigned
NATO Force Integration Units( NFIUs 1) in order to speed the Receipt, Staging, Onward Movement( RSOM) of NRF elements through the Joint Operational Area( JoA). Note that MND-SE will also be able to execute 2 * command of national and NATO Land forces up to Divisional scale( for Article 5 operations in the south-east).
Refining the NRF( L)
As the first NRF Land Component Command( LCC) HQ, NRDC-ESP forged changes in the design, readiness and structure of the interim NRF( L) model. With little conceptual guidance, NRDC-ESP contributed significantly to the current NRF Directive and helped to ensure that the NRF reached full operational capability by the end of 2016. Through staff visits and observations from training, HQ ARRC was able to benefit greatly from this work, confirming improvements in the speed of deployment, the STRATCOM plan and in the management of this larger and more complex force. NRDC-ESP put the new and improved NRF model on the road and handed the baton to HQ ARRC to continue the evolution in 2017.
Noting the requirements laid down in the new NRF Directive, the detailed observations provided by NRDC-ESP, and our own observations from our preparation year, HQ ARRC sought to use the planning and deployment periods of
8 ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS