NATO to continue working to increase capabilities of rapid reaction force - statement
BRUSSELS. June 25 (Interfax) - NATO countries are working successfully to increase the capabilities of the rapid reaction force so they can provide a better response to crises in the future, according to a communique released after a summit of NATO defense ministers.
"Work on an enhanced NATO Response Force (NRF) has progressed substantially. The future NRF will be significantly larger and more capable. It will be on a higher level of readiness, more responsive and more interoperable," the document reads.
"From 2016, the VJTF [Very High Readiness Joint Task Force] brigade, led by Spain, with other Allies participating, will be available to respond rapidly to any contingency," the NATO defense ministers stressed.
VJTF forces will take part in NATO's Trident Juncture 2015, mainly in Italy, Portugal and Spain, as early as this fall. Overall, the drills will involve over 30,000 NATO troops.