FRANCE TAKES LEAD OF NATO’S VERY HIGH READINESS JOINT TASK FORCE (VJTF)

France will assume command of NATO's highest-readiness military force for one year on 1st January 2022. In case of deployment, French soldiers would be on the front line. The formation, formally known as NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force or VJTF will comprise a multinational force of several thousand troops. The Franco-German brigade of 3,500 troops will serve as the core of the force, drawing on the 1st Infantry Regiment and the 3rd Hussar Regiment. Other NATO countries, including Spain, Portugal, and Poland will also provide forces. The majority of the force is comprised of units from the lead brigade.

The quick-reaction Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) is a “spearhead force” of around 20,000 troops. NATO requires the spearhead Very High Readiness JointTask Force (VJTF) to be operational within 48 to 72 hours. This includes at least 5,000 soldiers from the army, air force, navy and special forces – and they need to be at the ready. Every year, the NATO nations change leadership of the superfast response force.