Tri-Service

NATO Spearhead Force Deployed For First Time

NATO’s new high-readiness ‘Spearhead’ force has been deployed for the first time.

More than 2,000 soldiers from nine member states are taking part in exercises in north-west Poland.

It comes as NATO head Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance will approve plans this week to more than double the size of its rapid response force. Stoltenberg said:

"NATO defence ministers will take a decision to further increase the strength and capacity of the NATO Response Force to between 30,000-40,000 troops."

The UK's commitment to the Spearhead force, meanwhile, which was formed after Russia’s annexation of Crimea last year, is to be extended by three years.

Ahead of a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels this week, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon promised to send 1,000 troops a year to the task force until 2021 - in response to the threat posed by Russia.

He accused Russian leader Vladimir Putin of "sabre-rattling" and said NATO must keep sending him the message that it is committed to collective defence.