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.
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