At the beginning of the year, Germany took over the leadership of the NATO Rapid Reaction Force (VJTF).
The Bundeswehr thus provides around 8,000 men and women for a total of around 11,500 soldiers. This must be ready in 48 to 72 hours to be moved to wherever the alliance needs it. NATO describes its “spearhead”, the leadership of which changes every year, as a major contribution to deterrence and defense in Europe.
“While Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine continues to threaten peace and security in Europe, there must be no doubt about NATO’s determination to protect and defend every inch of Alliance territory,” NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said in Brussels communicated at the turn of the year. NATO thanks Germany for assuming leadership of the VJTF in 2023.
A total of nine NATO countries are taking part in the multinational forces this year, including Belgium, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Slovenia. The Panzergrenadierbrigade 37 “Freistaat Sachsen” is the lead organization for the multinational land units of the VJTF. Of the approximately 5,000 soldiers in the brigade, around 4,000 are committed to NATO.
The establishment of a very high readiness joint task force (VJTF) goes back to resolutions at the NATO summit in Wales in September 2014 and was a reaction to the Russian annexation of Crimea. NATO has since stepped up protection for allies in the East who feel threatened by Russia. The VJTF is the troop with the greatest willingness to be deployed at short notice.
A failure of the Puma infantry fighting vehicle during a target practice in December had overshadowed the participation of the Bundeswehr in the VJTF. After numerous technical defects, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) announced that the German soldiers would not be provided with the Puma as a combat vehicle, but with the older Marder.
