ent doctrines and SOPs to harmonize . At the same time , this challenge is an opportunity to come closer together . Certainly , we are on the right way and we will be successful in our mission ,” LTC Rutland further added .
The multinational character of the Battle Groups is a major strength of the enhanced Forward Presence concept . It is not only about their American , British , Canadian and German leadership . Equally important is the participation of numerous members from across NATO , reaching as far as Croatia , Slovenia and Spain . By including so many Allies ( 16 out of 29 ), NATO has yet again confirmed that any aggressive action against the nations of its north-eastern borderlands will be met with a collective and unified response .
This unique character of the eFP BGs has immense benefits for the whole Alliance . Although the composition of the units is land domain based , it influences the whole joint spectrum of the battlefield . The benefits of this were further explained by LTC Christopher L ’ Heureux , the Commander of eFP BG Poland .
“ On the surface , multinational war-fighting is a requirement . No nation has everything it needs to prosecute a fight in this century . A great example is our
Battle Group . The United States Army does not possess a very robust short-range air defence capability here in Romania . The Romanians , who have a very good air defence capability , should fill that gap . Very similarly , the United Kingdom provides a robust reconnaissance force of four platoons . I only possess one in my squadron . On a purely equipment organizational basis , it simply gives us more .”
With the four Battle Groups in place , the Corps and NATO itself have once again demonstrated their commitment to safeguarding the freedom of its members in the East .
The new capabilities of the Alliance ’ s multinational troops , together with political solidarity , guarantee that any act of intimidation directed against the nations of NATO ’ s north-eastern borderlands can never be perceived as an option with any prospect of success .
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