tensions with Russia
NATO increases operational readiness of the armed forces
2/18/2022, 9:33 p.m
In view of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO is reducing the standby times for additional armed forces. Accordingly, the rapid reaction force NRF must be able to be relocated within just one week. Thousands of German soldiers are also affected.
In view of the tensions with Russia, NATO’s supreme commander in Europe has drastically reduced the standby times for tens of thousands of alliance soldiers. According to information from NATO circles, forces of the rapid reaction force NRF must be able to be deployed within just 7 days instead of 30 in the future. A so-called “Notice to Move” period of 30 days instead of 45 applies to other units.
The military alliance thus further increases deterrence against Russia. A few weeks ago, the commander-in-chief had increased the “Notice to Move” deadline for the VJTF, the fastest reaction force. This means that the associated soldiers currently have to be ready for a transfer to a crisis area within a maximum of five days.
The Federal Ministry of Defense confirmed in the evening that the order also applies to German soldiers. “At the request of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (Saceur), General Wolters, and in close coordination with the Allies, the Federal Government will increase the responsiveness of the Bundeswehr forces registered in the NATO Response Force,” it said. The measure was not accompanied by any transfers, but only “preparatory measures were taken to reduce the time it takes to prepare for transfers in the event of the NATO Response Force (NRF) being activated”. An actual transfer of forces would require a political decision by the NATO Council.
The Ministry of Defense did not say how many German soldiers were affected by the decision. According to earlier information, around 13,700 soldiers were last registered for NATO’s rapid response forces. However, this also included, for example, 750 forces for the VJTF and 2,850 so-called national support forces. The total size of the NRF was last given by NATO as around 40,000 soldiers.
NATO: Largest concentration of troops since the Cold War
The background to the NATO commander-in-chief’s decision are fears that Russia is considering an invasion of neighboring Ukraine and that the conflict could spread to NATO countries. Russia denies attack plans.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had previously expressed concern about the extent of the Russian military presence on the border with Ukraine. “There can be no doubt that we are now witnessing the greatest concentration of military forces in Europe since the end of the Cold War,” Stoltenberg told ZDF’s “heute journal”. “And only Russia has the capacity, and it certainly has, to invade. Without warning.”
According to Stoltenberg, however, he still has hope that the crisis will be resolved. “It’s never too late to take a step backwards,” he said on ZDF. A “political solution” could be found.