Britain said on Tuesday it would honor its commitment and take command of NATO’s high readiness force in 2024, refuting reports that Germany could retain its leadership.
“Le Royaume-Uni est prêt à honorer son engagement et à prendre le commandement de la force opérationnelle interarmées à très haut level de préparation (VJTF) en 2024. Suggérer autrement est totally erroné”, according to a porte-parole du ministère britannique de the defense.
“NATO is currently reviewing its military plans and force model, which could affect the demands of Alliance members,” the spokesman added.
Earlier today, online outlet Table.Media reported that Germany may retain the leadership of the VJTF beyond the required year due to delays from Britain.
annual rotation
Since 2014, the Response Force has been strengthened with the creation within it of an elite spearhead, the “Very High Readiness Joint Task Force” (VJTF). As of early 2022, it numbered 20,000 fighters (including a multinational ground brigade of about 5,000 soldiers and components of air, sea, and special operations forces).
The VJTF is “regularly subject to exercises that aim to test its readiness and respond to any emerging crises,” according to the alliance. Based in their country, these soldiers are “permanently available and can be deployed in a few days to defend any Alliance country.”
Management of the VJTF is rotated annually among NATO countries: France took command in 2022, succeeding Turkey and before Germany in 2023.
Source: BFM TV
