Elements of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) have been deployed to Sardinia for exercise Noble Jump 23. The exercise will highlight NATO’s capabilities through an Operational and Tactical, Live and Command post exercise which will conclude with a Joint Allied Powers Demonstration Day, showcasing the readiness of NATO’s war-fighting capabilities. This long-planned exercise, under command of Joint Force Command Naples, will meet the requirements set by Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe to exercise the VJTF as the lead elements of the NATO Response Force (NRF).
The NATO Response Force (NRF) is a high-readiness NATO rapid deployment force comprising land, sea, air, and special forces units capable of being deployed quickly within short notice. Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) is aa high-readiness “spearhead force” of the NATO Response Force that can deploy wherever needed at short notice. The NRF currently comprises up to 40,000 troops, with plans to increase its manpower to over 300,000 troops. Its forces include units from several non-NATO member partners, including Finland (since 2008; joined NATO in 2023), Sweden (since 2013), Ukraine (since 2014), and Georgia (since 2015).
In 2023, VJTF land forces will number approximately 11,500 troops, with the German 10th Panzerdivision’s (Armoured Division’s) Panzergrenadierbrigade (Armoured Infantry Brigade) 37 at its core. Eight NATO allies contribute to VJTF 2023: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Slovenia. The Royal Netherlands Army’s 13 Light Brigade is contributing its 17th Mechanised Battalion to VJTF 2023. The Norwegian Army is contributing its Telemark Battalion, a medical company, an artillery battery, an engineer company, a combat training company, a military police troop, a reconnaissance unit, and a Role 2 hospital.
