NATO Spearhead Taking Its Shape. Poland Among The Framework Nations

The NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force will include a land forces brigade-sized set of units (ca. 5000 soldiers), which will receive support from air, naval and special forces. Part of the “Spearhead” will be ready to be deployed within 48 hours from receiving the order, while the whole VJTF is to be ready within a period which would be no longer than one week. Jens Stoltenberg confirmed the reports, according to which the “Spearhead” will be, within the subsequent periods, deployed by a framework nation, which is to be supported by the allies.

During the meeting of the North Atlantic Council, declarations of the countries, regarding their ability to act as a framework nation, have been placed by six states, including France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom. The Secretary General noted that forming the “spearhead” should be treated as a proof that the European countries are ready to bear responsibility for the outlook of the international security situation in Europe, which has been earlier requested by, inter alia, representatives of the US authorities.

After the NATO Response Forces undergo the restructuring process, they are going to include, besides the VJTF, additional units with a size of 2 brigades, which are to be activated, should a large-scale danger occur. Total number of the soldiers involved is to be as many as 30 000. Financing is to be realized both by the defence budgets of the allies, as well as through the NATO own assets.

Jens Stoltenberg also stated that Poland, as well as the Baltic States, Romania and Bulgaria are going to immediately become a new home for multinational command and control units, task of which would be to organize defence planning, joint exercises and integration of the allied defence systems. Stoltenberg noted that creating these units would make it easier to deploy NATO forces, should any danger occur. The decisions made by the North Atlantic Council are to enhance the level of protection from the threats coming from both Eastern, as well as Southern NATO flanks.

Stoltenberg additionally referred himself to the works which are related to expansion of the Multinational Corps North-east command, which is currently based in Szczecin. He stressed the fact that the undertaken measures will expand the command capabilities regarding the units deployed to Poland and to the Baltic States. NATO Secretary General also expressed his satisfaction, as Romanians have created an allied command of a division. This body is to be able to be involved in operations beyond the borders of Romania.