At
the center of NATO transformation
The NATO Response Force (NRF) will be a coherent, high readiness, joint,
multinational force package, technologically advanced, flexible, deployable,
interoperable and sustainable.
It will be tailored as required to the needs of a specific operation
and able to move quickly to wherever needed. It will not be a permanent
or standing force. The NRF will be able to carry out certain missions
on its own, or serve as part of a larger force to contribute to the
full range of Alliance military operations. The NRF can sustain itself
for duration of up to one month or longer if re-supplied. Its precise
size and composition is under study and will be the subject of further
definition and refinement, up to its full operational capability.
The NRF will be comprised of national force contributions, which will
rotate through periods of training and certification as a joint force,
followed by an operational "stand by" phase of six months.
Allied Command Operations (ACO) will generate the NRF through force
generation conferences. ACO will be responsible for certification of
forces and headquarters. Allied Command Transformation (ACT) will develop
future capabilities and further refine the NRF concept based on joint
lessons learned.
But the NRF will also be a key catalyst for focussing on and promoting
improvements of Alliance military capabilities, in very close relationship
with the national and multinational elements of the “Prague Capabilities
Commitment” and NATO force planning overall. It will thus form
an essential element of the Alliance’s transformation agenda.
Moreover, all Allies see the NRF and the European Union’s Headline
Goal Force as fully compatible and mutually reinforcing initiatives.
What Missions?
In practice, the tasks of the NRF are likely to focus on those requiring
the ability to react with the most capable forces in a very short time.
These might include deployment as a show of force and solidarity to
deter aggression; deployment as a stand-alone force for Article 5 (collective
defence) or non-Article 5 (crisis management, stabilisation) operations;
and deployment as an initial entry force for a larger force.
NRF Origins and Deadlines
On 8-9 October, in Colorado Springs (United States), NATO Defence Ministers
will review the ongoing implementation of the comprehensive concept
for the NRF. This concept, based on the decision taken by Heads of State
and Government at the November 2002 Prague Summit to establish a NRF,
was approved by Defence Ministers last June in Brussels.
The Prague Summit agreed that the NRF would reach its initial operational
capability as soon as possible but not later than October 2004, and
its full operational capability not later than October 2006. Based on
these directives, Defence Ministers last June tasked the NATO Military
Authorities (NMAs) to establish the NRF. Thanks to a very intense and
expeditious engagement of Allied nations the NMAs are working towards
the activation of a first “prototype” NRF on 15 October
this year. This will enable the Alliance to continue to define requirements
and develop NRF procedures.
