British armed forces lead NATO VJTF Very High Readiness Joint Task Force 10201173

Defence & Security News - United Kingdom
 
British armed forces lead NATO VJTF Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.
From January 1, 2017, the United Kingdom assumes responsibility for NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) contributing about 3,000 personnel, with 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade (20 Armd Inf Bde) leading a framework group of 14 partner nations.
     
From January 1, 2017, the United Kingdom assumes responsibility for NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) contributing about 3,000 personnel, with 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade (20 Armd Inf Bde) leading a framework group of 14 partner nations. 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) (1 PWRR) Mortar Platoon from 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade (20 Armd Inf Bde (The Iron Fist)) firing the 81 mm Mortar L16A2 during Ex Bergen-Hohne 2015 a live firing exercise on Bergen-Hohne Ranges.
     
The VJTF is part of NATO’s enhanced NATO Response Force (eNRF) which was agreed at the 2014 Wales NATO Summit when allies decided to strengthen the Alliance’s collective defence and ensure NATO has the right forces in the right place at the right time.

Also known as the ‘spearhead force’ it consists of 20,000 personnel and includes Land, Air, Maritime and Special Forces components. The ‘land’ component is known as the VJTF(L).

During this year 20 Armd Inf Bde will provide the VJTF(L) Brigade HQ, armoured infantry and light role infantry battlegroups plus communications, reconnaissance, intelligence capabilities, combat support and logistic elements, which will ensure that the multinational brigade can operate as a rapidly deployable and effective fighting force.

Tactical and strategic exercises took place throughout last year to prepare the multinational force to be well integrated and interoperable.

The VJTF(L) comprises a multinational brigade (approximately 5,000 troops), with up to five manoeuvre battalions, supported by air, maritime and Special Forces.