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