UK Boosts Commitment to NATO Response Force

NATO, The UK has increased its commitment to the NATO Response Force (NRF) with an offer of more aircraft and support capabilities for 'NRF7', UK Defence Secretary Des Browne announced today. 
 
The NRF was established as a trained pool of agile and capable forces to be drawn upon for rapid response to developing situations and recently assisted with the Pakistani earthquake relief effort. The UK already plays a leading role in providing capability to the NRF with the contribution of Component Commands and forces. 
 
The offer of additional support for 'NRF7', the rotational commitment period running from July to December 2006, includes:  
 
– Six Jaguars; 
– Two Air to Air Refuelling assets; 
– Three Deployed Operating Base enabling elements; and 
– Four Ground Based Air Defence Rapier Fire Units. 
 
Speaking at a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels, Des Browne said: 
 
“This additional commitment highlights the UK's strong support for the NATO Response Force and is a further significant contribution towards the attainment of the Alliance objective of achieving a full NRF capability by October this year. 
 
“The NATO Response Force remains the key to our vision for the modern NATO, capable of mounting the full range of military operations but geared towards dealing with the most likely future threats.”  
 
Background Information and Notes: 
 
1. Des Browne was attending a NATO Defence Ministers' meeting at NATO HQ, Brussels on Thursday 8 June 2006. 
 
2. The NATO Response Force (NRF) achieved its initial operational capability in October 2004, and is aiming to achieve full operational capability by October 2006. 
 
3. NATO's member nations commit forces to the NRF on a rotational basis so they can go through a process of training and certification, followed by an operational stand-by period of six months. This guarantees the permanent existence of a combat-ready deployable NRF. 
 
4. UK current commitment (to NRF 6 January to July 06) includes HQ 3 (UK) Div as the Land Component Command HQ with HQ 19 Brigade and significant Force Elements including logistics enablers. The Air Component is commanded by the UK Joint Force Air Component (JFAC) HQ and assigned Force Elements include Tornado GR4 and F3, AAR and C130 aircraft as well as command and control and air defence capabilities. 
 
5. The UK is routinely committed to command each of the NRF component HQs. The next Maritime Component command for the UK is between July and December 2007 for NRF 9. The next Land Component Lead is NRF 13 (July – December 09 and will be renamed NRF 09/2) with the JFACHQ commanding the Air Component again for NRF 11 (July – December 08). 
 
6. Jaguar Aircraft from 6 Sqn based at RAF Coningsby will provide NRF with additional ground attack and reconnaissance capabilities to support ground operations. These aircraft can be fitted with a variety of unguided and precision weapons. 
 
7. The Ground Based Air Defence Rapier Fire Units will be manned by the RAF for the first four months and by 16 Regiment Royal Artillery for the latter two months. 
 
8. The tankers, most likely VC10s, from RAF Brize Norton will provide an air-to-air refuelling capability to enhance the range and endurance of NATO aircraft assigned to the NRF. 
 
9. 121 Expeditionary Air Wing, based at RAF Coningsby, will provide support to NRF. This will include general administrative support and the offer of a Fire & Rescue team and a Mobile Catering Unit. 
 
10. Today's offer of addition forces is in addition to those the UK has already committed to NRF7, namely:
 
– One Frigate; 
– One Mine Counter Measures vessel; 
– One Hydrographic vessel; 
– Deployed Operating Base enabling elements; and 
– Meteorological support. 
 
The UK also commits Sentry E3D AWACS aircraft to NATO's Standing AWACS force which will support the NRF if required