From 1 January 2024, the United Kingdom’s 7th Light Mechanised Brigade will take over the leadership of NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF). This force is made up of thousands of soldiers who are on standby and ready to deploy within days in the event of a crisis. The VJTF was established in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and was first deployed for collective defense after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The leadership position of the VJTF is rotated annually among NATO Allies, with the UK taking over from Germany in 2023.
The 7th Light Mechanised Brigade is known as “the Desert Rats” and is comprised of a light cavalry regiment and four light-mechanised infantry battalions, along with artillery, engineering, logistics, and medical regiments. Units from the Royal Anglian Regiment and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards are included in the brigade. Additionally, Poland’s 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade and Spain’s Brigada Guzmán el Bueno will provide heavy battle tanks, attack helicopters, and air defenses to support the VJTF. In total, forces from nine NATO Allies will contribute to the VJTF in 2024.
The VJTF is part of NATO’s larger Response Force, which also includes air and maritime forces. The Joint Force Command in Brunssum will command the Response Force in 2024, with the UK’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps serving as the land component command. The Alliance plans to transition the NATO Response Force into the new Allied Reaction Force in mid-2024. This transition will enhance NATO’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to emerging security challenges and threats in the region.
Overall, the UK’s leadership of the VJTF demonstrates its commitment to NATO and its readiness to support collective defense efforts within the Alliance. By leading this high-readiness force, the UK is showcasing its capabilities and dedication to ensuring the security and stability of the region. The VJTF plays a crucial role in NATO’s ability to respond rapidly to potential crises and to deter any potential aggression from adversaries. With the UK at the helm of the VJTF in 2024, the Alliance is well-positioned to address any security challenges that may arise in the future.
