NATO Enhanced Forward Presence

Last updated
The coat of arms of the Enhanced Forward Presence. Coat of arms of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroups.svg
The coat of arms of the Enhanced Forward Presence.

Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) is a NATO-allied forward-deployed defense and deterrence military force in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. This posture in Northern Europe through Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and in Central Europe through Poland, Slovakia and Hungary and in Eastern Europe through Romania and Bulgaria, is in place to protect and reassure the security of NATO's Northern, Central and Eastern European member states on NATO's eastern flank. [1] [2]

Contents

Following Russia's invasion of Crimea, NATO's member states agreed at the 2016 Warsaw summit to forward deploy four multinational battalion battle groups to areas most likely to be attacked. [3]

The numbers involved, although a notable supplement to the armed forces of the country being defended, are limited so that they avoid seeming to threaten Russia. The chief value of the force is that it is impossible to invade Poland or the Baltic States without battling the soldiers and firing on the flags of the involved NATO states, giving cause for war. It is believed that the prospect of war with all those countries will deter aggression.[ citation needed ]

The original four multinational battalion battle groups are based in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, and led by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and the United States respectively. [4]

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and ongoing war in Ukraine, NATO members agreed to establish four more multinational battalion battle groups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia led by Italy, Hungary, France, Czech Republic respectively at 2022 Madrid Summit. [5]

CountryLocationLeading stateParticipants as of November 2022 [5] Troops (approx.) [upper-alpha 1] [6] [7]
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria Kabile Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Turkey, United States 1,650 [8] [upper-alpha 1]
Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia Tapa Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, United States 2,200
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Tata Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Turkey, United States 1,054 [upper-alpha 1]
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia Ādaži Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Albania, Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United States 4,000
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania Rukla Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden [9] , United States 3,700
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Orzysz Flag of the United States.svg  United States Croatia, Romania, United Kingdom 11,600
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania Cincu Flag of France.svg  France Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, United States 4,700
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia Lešť Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic Germany, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, United States 1,100 [upper-alpha 1]
  1. 1 2 3 4 The data is from November 2022. The numbers in Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia include participating troops from their own national Armed Forces.

The troops serving in the multinational battalion battle groups rotate every six months and train and operate with their host nations' militaries.

Multinational Battalion Battle Group Estonia

Belgium

The Belgian Army contributes a 269-soldier strong Belgian Land Component armoured infantry company from the Chasseurs Ardennais with support elements and HQ staff officers. [10]

Denmark and Iceland

Additionally the Danish Army will deploy a mechanized force by 2018 at the latest. [11] Three brigade HQ support personnel from the Royal Danish Army and 1 strategic communications civilian from the Icelandic defence forces have also been stationed in Estonia. [12]

France

The British unit will be supported by a mixed battle group from the French Army's 9th Light Armoured Marine Brigade consisting of a mechanized infantry company from the 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment equipped with VBCI infantry fighting vehicles, artillery from the 11th Marine Artillery Regiment equipped with CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, and combat engineers from the 6th Engineer Regiment, with a company of Leclerc main battle tanks from the 7th Armoured Brigade's 1st Chasseurs Regiment attached for the deployment.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom under Operation Cabrit [13] deployed 800 personnel from the British Army's 20th Armoured Brigade Combat Team:

The British Army's 5th Battalion, The Rifles battlegroup, rotated back to the United Kingdom in November 2017 and was replaced by a battlegroup formed around the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh. [15]

During 2022 between March and June Exercise Spring Storm took place which brought AgustaWestland Apache AH.1's and AgustaWestland Wildcat AH.1's to Estonia and other Eastern European countries. [16]

As part of Aviation Task Force 3 under Operation Peleda , Chinook HC.5/6s from No. 27 Squadron RAF were deployed to Amari Air Base between 8 July and September 2022. They were supported by the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron, Tactical Supply Wing RAF and 244 Signal Squadron (Air Support) (of 30 Signal Regiment). [17] Chinook HC.5/6s from No. 18 Squadron RAF deployed to Amari from January to February 2023. [18]

Multinational Battalion Battle Group Latvia

Italian Army 1st Bersaglieri Regiment VTLM Lince being refueled by Canadian Army and Slovenian Army troops Italian Army - 1st Bersaglieri Regiment Lince vehicle and Canadian Army in Latvia 2019.jpg
Italian Army 1st Bersaglieri Regiment VTLM Lince being refueled by Canadian Army and Slovenian Army troops
Italian Army 4th Tank Regiment Ariete main battle tank and a Canadian Army LAV VI during a training exercise Italian Army - 4th Tank Regiment Ariete main battle tank with a Canadian Army LAV III in Latvia 2019.jpg
Italian Army 4th Tank Regiment Ariete main battle tank and a Canadian Army LAV VI during a training exercise
Structure of Latvian eFP Battle Group NATO eFP Battle Group Latvia.svg
Structure of Latvian eFP Battle Group

The Latvian multinational battalion battle group is based at Camp Adazi, near the Latvian capital of Riga, and contains approximately 1,500 personnel. [19] [20]

Albania

Albania will send a small detachment of 21 EOD engineers from the Albanian Land Force.

Canada

Canada provides the core of the NATO battle group in Latvia with approximately 540 mechanized infantry and supporting troops. This contingent, Operation Reassurance, is provided by Canada's high-readiness brigade, a task which rotates annually amongst the three Regular Force brigades of the country. Reservists from more than 100 units across Canada have provided several augmentees to each rotation. [21]

2017

In 2017, the contingent was provided by 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Western Canada, which handed over to 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Eastern Canada in 2018. The 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), based in CFB Gagetown, rotated in to relieve the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). [22]

2018

In June 2018, the 2nd Battalion RCR was replaced by the 1st Battalion RCR, based out of Petawawa, Ontario.

2019

In January 2019, Canada's French-speaking mechanized brigade from Quebec, (5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group), took on the task. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Sauvé, and most of the soldiers were from the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22e Régiment (2R22eR) or the armoured 12e Régiment blindé du Canada (12e RBC). [23] In accordance with this rotation cycle, they were replaced in July 2019 by the 2nd Battalion PPCLI from the 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.

2020

In January 2020, a battle group led by Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), of the 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, rotated in to Latvia, and was replaced by a battle group led by the 2nd Battalion RCR.

2021

In January 2021, a battle group led by the Royal Canadian Dragoons, of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, relieved the 2nd Battalion RCR.

2023

On 15 December 2023 the Canadian Defence Minister announced several measures to strengthen Canada’s military presence in Latvia as part of the planned increase from about 1,000 Canadian personnel to 2,200 by 2026. These include: [24]

  • The deployment of four Griffon helicopters to the battle group starting in summer 2024. These will be periodically joined by Chinook helicopters, starting in autumn 2025.
  • The procurement of portable LR Spike anti-armour missile systems for the Canadian Forces in Latvia. These will be arriving from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems starting in mid-2024.
  • The deployment of medium-range radar capabilities, which will support the battle group's air defence. They will be joined in due course by a to-be-procured Canadian air defence system.
  • The full complement of about 130 personnel for Canada's tank squadron of 15 Leopard 2A4M tanks should be in place by spring 2024.
  • A total investment of more than CA$15 million in infrastructure needed to scale up the battle group to a brigade group.

2024

On 15 February 2024, the Canadian Defence Minister announced that the Canadian Armed Forces members in Latvia will receive air defence capabilities consisting of:

  • The RBS 70 NG short-range air defence system to defend themselves against fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters within its range, close air support aircraft, small uncrewed aerial systems, and larger uncrewed aerial systems.
  • A counter-drone capability against small drones using the TRD Systems of Singapore ORION-H9 dismounted directional systems; the CACI Inc. of the United States CACI BEAM 3.0 omni-directional systems; and the Leonardo UK Ltd. Falcon Shield fixed-site systems. [25]

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic provides a mortar platoon of 55 soldiers. [26]

Denmark

In April 2022, the first part of a force consisting of about 750 Danish soldiers, along with armoured vehicles, arrived in Latvia. [27]

Italy

Italy will provide an Italian Army mechanized Infantry company with Freccia and Dardo infantry fighting vehicles. Recently the Italian Army has reinforced its presence with 8 Ariete main battle tanks.

Montenegro

Montenegro provides a reconnaissance squad. [12]

Poland

Poland provides an armored company with PT-91 Twardy main battle tanks.

Slovenia

Slovenia will deploy an Infantry reconnaissance platoon, Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) team, Contribution to battlegroup headquarters, Support elements of the Slovenian Armed Forces.

Slovakia

Slovakia will deploy an armored infantry company consisting of 150 troops from 11th Mechanized Battalion starting in second half of 2018. The Slovak force contribution consists of:

Spain

Spain will dispatch a reinforced armored infantry company consisting of around 350 troops from the 11th Mechanized Infantry Brigade "Extremadura". The Spanish contingent will include 6 Leopard 2E main battle tanks from the I/16th Tank Battalion "Mérida" of the 16th Armored Regiment "Castilla" and 15 Pizarro infantry fighting vehicles from the I/6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Cantabria" of the 6th Infantry Regiment "Saboya". [28]

Sweden

The Swedish Prime minister announced during a defence conference in January of 2024 that Sweden will provide a Battalion to Latvia in 2025 as part of NATO's forward presence when Sweden joins NATO. [29] The Battalion will be deployed in cooperation with Denmark with a changeover between a Danish and a Swedish battalion every 6 months. Initially the 71 Motorized battalion is earmarked for the Deployment.

Multinational Battalion Battle Group Lithuania

The Lithuania multinational battalion battle group is under the command of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf of the Lithuanian Land Forces and based in Rukla. [30] The battalion has a headquarters company, three to four combat companies and various support units. [30] The battle group is led by Germany. [31] Each rotation lasts six months. [32] Additionally, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the German Armed Forces have expanded their presence in Lithuania. In December 2023 German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius and Lithuanian Minister of Defence Arvydas Anušauskas agreed on plans to permanently station a full German Brigade in Lithuania beginning in 2025. [33]

DateNovember 2017 [34] Parent unit(s)March 2019 [35] Parent unit(s)October 2020 [36] Parent unit(s)
Country/number of troops
Belgium60Support elements1Staff officer for battlegroup headquarters1Public affairs officer
Czech Republicn/a-230 [26] Mechanized infantry company

Support elements

35Electronic warfare element

Support elements

Croatia178Mechanized infantry company

(15x Patria MV armoured vehicles, 4x multiple-launch rocket system

3x M-ATV mine-resistant vehicles)

1st Mechanized Battalion "Tigers"

of Mechanized Guard Brigade [37]

208Mechanized infantry company208Mechanized infantry company
Francen/a-n/a-275Mechanised infantry company

Armoured platoon with MBT

Germany450Armoured infantry battalion with AFVs

complemented with MBTs and self-propelled artillery

Mobility engineers,

Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance

(incl. tactical UAVs) and support elements

540Armoured infantry company

Combat service

Combat service support

527Armoured company

Mechanised infantry platoon

Combat service

Combat service support

Iceland11 Coast guard officer

for explosive ordnance disposal

1Public affairs civilian1Public affairs civilian
Luxembourg22Integrated into Belgian

Support elements

n/a-4Transportation team
Netherlands250-270Armoured infantry company

with AFV

250-270Mechanised infantry company

with AFV

270Mechanised infantry company

Logistics support element

Norway200Combined arms company - armouredDrawn from Telemark Battalion

and other Brigade Nord units

[equipped with CV9030 IFVs

and Leopard 2A4NO MBTs]

13Joint fires section Artillery Battalion 120Armoured infantry company

with AFV

Total118110551233

Belgium and Luxembourg

2017

The Belgian Army sent a logistic support company, which arrived in Lithuania on 24 January 2017. The 100 men from the 18th Logistics Battalion and 29th Logistics Battalion of the Belgian Land Component with medical and military police units attached arrived by ferry in Klaipėda and contain a small detachment of troops from the Luxembourg Army, [38] [39] which brought with them around ten transport trucks. [40]

Czech Republic

In July 2018, Czechia provided EFP Lithuania the 1st Company Task Force consisting of a mechanized company with Pandur armored vehicles reinforced by an engineer platoon, a logistics unit and a medical element reaching a total of 230 people. [41] After six months, they were replaced by the 2nd Task Force for the next half-year. [41] Both task forces consisted of the 41st Mechanized Battalion  [ cs ]'s soldiers. [41] After deployment, the company task force returned to the Czech Republic in July 2019. [41] From then on until 2021, Czech Army sent four electronic warfare task forces. [41] Since July 2021, an anti-aircraft missile battery from the 252nd Anti-Aircraft Missile Section (sub-unit of the 25th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment  [ cs ]) armed with RBS 70 has been operating in Lithuania. [41]

France

Some 200 soldiers from 5th Dragoon Regiment of the French Army have arrived to Rukla on 3 July 2020, staying there for 6 months until the end of December, with a hundred more administration and logistics personnel. The troops form a mechanised infantry company and are reinforced with 5 Leclerc tanks and 14 VBCI IFVs. [42]

Germany

The first German Army unit to deploy to Lithuania is the 122nd Mechanized Battalion of the 12th Armoured Brigade  [ de ] of the 10th Panzer Division. Equipped with Marder infantry fighting vehicles the battalion will be augmented with Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks from the 104th Tank Battalion, PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery from the 131st Artillery Battalion engineers from the 4th Armored Engineer Battalion and troops from the 4th Supply Battalion.

Norway

2018-2019

From January to June 2018 about 30 soldiers deployed from the Intelligence Battalion's long-range reconnaissance patrol squadron.

2019-2021

From July 2019 troops from the Telemark Battalion and the Armoured Battalion are alternating on deploying an armoured infantry company with IFVs and MBTs consisting of 120-140 soldiers. [43] [44] [45]

2022

From January 2022 2nd Battalion contributes a mechanized company with a tank capacity of about 140 personnel [46]

The Norwegian Government said in February 2022 that it will increase its contribution with up to 60 soldiers due to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis. [47] In June 2022 the Government extended Norway's contribution in Lithuania until 2023 due to the war in Ukraine. [48]

In August 2022 the taskforce was increased by a platoon from Telemark Battalion, bringing the total number of troops up to ca. 200.[ citation needed ]

Multinational Battalion Battle Group Poland

The Poland-based multinational battalion Battle Group, known as Battle Group Poland (BGPOL), [49] is currently[ when? ] led by the United States Army's 2nd ("Cougars") Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment (United States) headquartered in Rose Barracks, Germany. The Battle Group consists of a US combined-arms battalion, a Sabre Squadron from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, a Croatian rocket artillery battery, and an ADA company from the Romanian Army.

The Battle Group is attached to the Polish Army's 15th Mechanized Brigade and based in Orzysz located south of Kaliningrad Oblast and 120 kilometers away from the Suwałki Gap.

Incidents

In June 2021, around 30 German soldiers were recalled from service in Lithuania after they were accused of making racist and anti-Semitic remarks and of sexual violence. [50]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lithuanian Armed Forces</span> Armed forces of Lithuania

The Lithuanian Armed Forces are the military of Lithuania. The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of the Lithuanian Land Forces, the Lithuanian Naval Force, the Lithuanian Air Force and the Lithuanian Special Operations Force. In wartime, the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service becomes part of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. A special security department handles VIP protection and communications security.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brigade</span> Large military formation (3–6 battalions / 3–10 thousand troops

A brigade is a major tactical military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute a division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Implementation Force</span> NATO-led force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995–96)

The Implementation Force (IFOR) was a NATO-led multinational peace enforcement force in Bosnia and Herzegovina under a one-year mandate from 20 December 1995 to 20 December 1996 under the codename Operation Joint Endeavour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">German Army</span> Land warfare branch of Germanys military since 1955

The German Army is the land component of the armed forces of Germany. The present-day German Army was founded in 1955 as part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr together with the Marine and the Luftwaffe. As of January 2022, the German Army had a strength of 62,766 soldiers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd (United Kingdom) Division</span> Regular army division of the British Army

The 3rd Division, also known as The Iron Division, is a regular army division of the British Army. It was created in 1809 by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, as part of the Anglo-Portuguese Army, for service in the Peninsular War, and was known as the Fighting 3rd under Sir Thomas Picton during the Napoleonic Wars. The division fought at the Battle of Waterloo, as well as during the Crimean War and the Second Boer War. As a result of bitter fighting in 1916, during the First World War, the division became referred to as the 3rd (Iron) Division, or the Iron Division or Ironsides. During the Second World War, the division fought in the Battle of France including a rearguard action during the Dunkirk Evacuation, and played a prominent role in the D-Day landings of 6 June 1944. The division was to have been part of a proposed Commonwealth Corps, formed for a planned invasion of Japan in 1945–46, and later served in the British Mandate of Palestine. During the Second World War, the insignia became the "pattern of three" — a black triangle trisected by an inverted red triangle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Canadian Division</span> Canadian Joint Operations Command formation based in Kingston, Ontario

The 1st Canadian Division is a joint operational command and control formation based at CFB Kingston, and falls under Canadian Joint Operations Command. It is a high-readiness unit, able to move on very short notice, and is staffed and equipped to meet Canada’s military objectives to counter any potential threat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Croatian Army</span> Military unit

The Croatian Army is the largest and most significant component of the Croatian Armed Forces (CAF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Italian Army</span> Land warfare branch of Italys military forces

The Italian Army is the land force branch of the Italian Armed Forces. The army's history dates back to the Italian unification in the 1850s and 1860s. The army fought in colonial engagements in China, Libya, Northern Italy against the Austro-Hungarian Empire during World War I, Abyssinia before World War II and in World War II in Albania, Balkans, North Africa, the Soviet Union, and Italy itself. During the Cold War, the army prepared itself to defend against a Warsaw Pact invasion from the east. Since the end of the Cold War, the army has seen extensive peacekeeping service and combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. Its best-known combat vehicles are the Dardo infantry fighting vehicle, the Centauro tank destroyer and the Ariete tank and among its aircraft the Mangusta attack helicopter, recently deployed in UN missions. The headquarters of the Army General Staff are located in Rome opposite the Quirinal Palace, where the president of Italy resides. The army is an all-volunteer force of active-duty personnel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turkish Land Forces</span> Turkish land armed forces

The Turkish Land Forces, or Turkish Army, is the main branch of the Turkish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The army was formed on November 8, 1920, after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Significant campaigns since the foundation of the army include suppression of rebellions in Turkish Kurdistan from the 1920s to the present day, combat in the Korean War, the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the current Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War, as well as its NATO alliance against the USSR during the Cold War. The army holds the preeminent place within the armed forces. It is customary for the Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces to have been the Commander of the Turkish Land Forces prior to his appointment as Turkey's senior ranking officer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black beret</span> Military cap, worn by armored forces and other units

The black beret is a colour of beret, a type of headgear. It is commonly worn by paramilitaries and militaries around the world, particularly armored forces such as the British Army's Royal Tank Regiment (RTR), the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC), and Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) and the Indian Army Armoured Corps and Indian Border Security Force. Notable non-armored military units to wear the black beret include the non-military police and non-special forces elements of the Irish Defence Forces, MOD Guard Service, Russian Naval Infantry and Russian OMON units, the United States Air Force (USAF) Tactical Air Control Party (TACP), Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) members, and the Royal Canadian Navy. It was also worn by the United Kingdom's Royal Observer Corps (ROC) with their Royal Air Force (RAF) uniform, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)</span> Inactive British Army formation

The 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army with a long history including service during both the First and the Second World Wars. It was based at Tidworth Camp. Previously, it has been designated 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Mechanised Brigade, and under the initial Army 2020 reforms assumed the title of 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade. Under the Future Soldier programme, the brigade merged with the 1st Artillery Brigade to form the 1st Deep Recce Strike Brigade Combat Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf</span> Military unit

Mechanized Infantry Brigade "Iron Wolf" is the core unit of the Lithuanian Army and forms the country's contribution to NATO collective defence. The name of the brigade relates to the Lithuanian mythical character from the medieval foundation legend of the Vilnius city.

Canadian Forces Europe was the Canadian Forces military formation in Europe during the Cold War. The CF assisted other NATO allies in watching the military activities of Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group</span> Brigade of the Canadian Army

4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group was a formation of the Canadian Army, then Mobile Command of the unified Canadian Forces. It was part of the European formation known as Canadian Forces Europe. The formation served as the main forward deployed land element of Canada's armed forces, and was stationed in West Germany from 1957 until it was disbanded in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lithuanian Land Forces</span> Branch of the Lithuanian military

The Lithuanian Land Forces (LLF) form the backbone of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, capable of acting as an integral part of NATO forces. Lithuanian Land Forces consist of three brigades, the Engineer Battalion, and the National Defence Volunteers Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Latvian Land Forces</span> Military unit

The Latvian Land Forces together with the Latvian National Guard form the land warfare branch of the Latvian National Armed Forces. Since 2007, land forces are organized as a fully professional standing army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">III Army Corps (Italy)</span> Military unit

The III Army Corps was one of three corps the Italian Army fielded during the Cold War. Based in the regions of Lombardy and Piedmont the corps was the army's operational reserve, while the 4th Alpine Army Corps and the 5th Army Corps, both based in the North East of Italy, were the army's front-line units. After the end of the Cold War the corps was reduced in size and on 1 December 2000 it ceded its last brigades to the 1st Defence Forces Command. The personnel of the 3rd Army Corps was used to raise the NATO Rapid Deployable Italian Corps in January 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Atlantic Resolve</span> US deployments to Europe in response to Russo-Ukrainian War

Operation Atlantic Resolve, refers to military activities in response to Russian operations in Ukraine, mainly the War in Donbass. It was funded under the European Deterrence Initiative. In the wake of Russia's 2014 invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and the U.K. took several immediate steps to enhance the deterrence posture along the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), including augmenting the air, ground and naval presence in the region, and enhancing previously scheduled exercises.

This article lists the structure of the Royal Danish Army in 1989 and in May 2020:

References

  1. https://shape.nato.int/efp
  2. https://mncne.nato.int/forces/nato-enhanced-forward-presence
  3. "NATO war game defends Baltic weak spot for first time". EURACTIV MEDIA NETWORK BV. 19 June 2017.
  4. "Boosting NATO's presence in the east and southeast". NATO.
  5. 1 2 "NATO's military presence in the east of the Alliance". NATO. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  6. "NATO's Forward Presence, November 2022" (PDF). NATO. November 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  7. https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2022/3/pdf/2203-map-det-def-east.pdf
  8. "NATO's multinational battlegroup in Bulgaria reaches full capability".
  9. https://www.mod.gov.lv/en/news/sweden-ready-deploy-combat-battalion-latvia#:~:text=Sweden%20has%20announced%20its%20plans,finalising%20its%20accession%20to%20NATO.
  10. "Belgian troops joined the NATO enhanced forward presence battle group at Tapa - Kaitsevägi". www.mil.ee. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
  11. Holehouse, Matthew; Farmer, Ben (14 June 2016). "British troops to defend Baltics against Russia in new Nato mission". The Telegraph . Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  12. 1 2 "NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence" (PDF). nato.int. 2019-02-13. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
  13. "enhanced Forward Presence". British Army. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  14. Soldier Magazine . Aldershot Garrison, Hampshire, England: Ministry of Defence. August 2016. p. 14.
  15. "Royal Welsh Regiment to be base unit of British contingent in Estonia from November". Latvian Information Agency. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  16. "Helicopter Ground Crew Finesse Skills Ahead of Deployment to Eastern Europe". British Army. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  17. AirForces Monthly . Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. October 2022. p. 8.
  18. AirForces Monthly . Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. March 2023. p. 8.
  19. CBC News (January 5, 2021). "Canadian Forces members in Latvia test positive for COVID-19 virus". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2021-04-17. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  20. "NATO eFP Battle Group | Aizsardzības ministrija". www.mod.gov.lv. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  21. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2023/12/minister-blair-announces-measures-to-strengthen-canadas-military-presence-in-latvia.html
  22. Defence, National (13 January 2018). "Canadian Armed Forces Members deploy to continue deterrence mission in Latvia". gcnws.
  23. rédaction, La. "Premier départ de troupes de Valcartier déployées en Lettonie – 45eNord.ca".
  24. "Minister Blair announces measures to strengthen Canada's military presence in Latvia". www.canada.ca. 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2023-12-20.; and David Pugliese, "Canadian NATO troops in Latvia get air-defense, anti-tank upgrades, Defense News, Feb 15, 2024. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/02/15/canadian-nato-troops-in-latvia-get-air-defense-anti-tank-upgrades/?utm_campaign=dfn-ebb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sailthru&SToverlay=2002c2d9-c344-4bbb-8610-e5794efcfa7d
  25. "Canada acquiring air defence and anti-drone capabilities for Canadian Armed Forces members deployed with NATO in Latvia". www.canada.ca. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  26. 1 2 "České jednotky zamíří do Pobaltí. S minomety a obrněnci Pandur". iDNES.cz (in Czech). 11 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  27. "Danish reinforcements land in Latvia to boost NATO presence". Public broadcasting of Latvia. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  28. "España desplegará por primera vez los tanques Leopard en una misión exterior". ABC España. 12 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  29. https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2024/01/svenska-soldater-till-baltikum/
  30. 1 2 "NATO Enhanced Forward Presence". kariuomene.lt. Archived from the original on 2022-04-29.
  31. Strickland, John (10 October 2017). "U.S. Army-led NATO Battle Group on deterrence mission in Poland". www.army.mil. Archived from the original on 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  32. "Soldiers of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group Lithuania nearing the end of rotation received decorations | Lithuanian army". Soldiers of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group Lithuania nearing the end of rotation received decorations | Lithuanian army. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  33. "German brigade in Lithuania set to be combat ready in 2027". dw.com.
  34. NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence (PDF). 2017.
  35. NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence (PDF). www.nato.int/factsheets. 2019.
  36. NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence (PDF). 2020.
  37. "Croatian troops join international NATO battalion in Lithuania". Delfi. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  38. German Army eFP site
  39. "Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania :: News » News Releases". Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  40. "Luxembourg's troops join NATO battalion in Lithuania". Delfi. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Lotyšsko a Litva". Mise (in Czech). Archived from the original on 2021-10-30.
  42. Beniušis, Vaidotas. "Gynybos atašė: prancūzų karių kuopa Lietuvoje pilnai sukomplektuota". LRT (in Lithuanian).
  43. Factsheet NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence October 2020
  44. "Enhanced Forward Presence". I tjeneste for Norge (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  45. Arstad, Svein (2021-04-12). "Norske soldater til topps i Nato-konkurranse". forsvaretsforum.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  46. Rognstrand, Andrea (27 January 2022). "Nye kontingenter fra Norge til Irak og Litauen". Forsvarets Forum. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  47. "Norway is increasing its contribution to NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania". Government.no. Norwegian Government. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  48. "Norge forlenger sitt styrkebidrag i Litauen". Regjeringen.no (in Norwegian). Norwegian Government. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  49. Dorschner, James (21 September 2017). "Ramping up: U.S. Army Europe building forces and capability". Jane's Defence Weekly.
  50. "German soldiers dismissed over Hitler birthday song". Reuters. 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2021-07-07.