Allied Reaction:NATO's Newest Force

On 29 September 2023,the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy (NRDC-ITA) was announced as the interim headquarters for the Alliance's new Allied Reaction Force (ARF),NATO announced in a press release.ARF was established at the NATO Vilnius Summit in July 2023.The NRDC-ITA will provide Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher G. Cavoli,U.S. Army,with immediate capability to respond to a crisis,while also providing for the development of permanent ARF structures.The ARF will be a new,muti-domain Force for providing more options to respond swiftly to threats and crises in all directions throughout Alliance territory.Said NRDC-ITA commander Lt.Gen.Lorenzo D'Addario:I am excited and honoured to serve the Alliance in such a crucial role.We will be training hard to provide NATO a ready Force.* For the remainder of 2023 and early 2024,NRDC-ITA will undergo a rigorous series of measures:military exercises;academic studies;staff training;and the exercise Steadfast Deterrence in May 2024.Then NRDC-ITA will receive validation as an interim HQ before officially assuming the role in July 2024.This new role will strengthen the Corps' extant relationships,while allowing it to work with new Allies and Partners,sharing expertise and experience while demonstrating cohesion and legitimacy.The selection of NRDC-ITA as the interim HQ reaffirms Italy's commitment to the Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area,NATO said.* For its part,the UK has already pledged forces to the ARF.The ARF is part of the Alliance's New Force Model,which will support modernisation and strengthening of the NATO Force Structure.This in turn will ensure declared capabilities,equipment and forces are available to SACEUR in the right place at the right time.The agile,multi-domain and combat-credible ARF will be able to deploy at very high readiness to respond to a range of crises,the UK Ministry of Defence pointed out,in light of Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.Contribution of fighter aircraft,land forces and maritime vessels to the New Force Model will protect people across the Alliance against future threats,the UK MOD stated.