UK and European partners signed MoU for the future Joint Expeditionary Force 20112153.

The JEF will be a pool of high-readiness forces that can respond quickly to a range of issues, using combat power, conventional deterrence or humanitarian assistance. Such assistance could include setting up responses similar to that deployed to tackle the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

"In a world of ever-greater uncertainty and growing threats it’s right that the UK plays a leading role in developing this high-readiness force. Building on our pledges made at the NATO Summit, this demonstrates our commitment to crisis management and cooperative security," UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said.

The UK’s leading role in the JEF demonstrates our commitment to crisis management, co-operative security and being international by design. The concept is distinct from existing treaty organisations, but can complement other multinational high-readiness intervention forces and can support the activities of the UN, NATO and the EU. The UK’s contribution is expected to include lead commando, airborne, armoured, aviation, air and maritime task groups.

Yesterday’s signing builds on pledges made at the NATO Summit in Wales last year. A letter of intent was signed while all 28 EU defence ministers were in Cardiff aboard HMS Duncan. During the signing, discussions took place on how the agreement will allow the UK and JEF partners to continue with the operational co-operation achieved to date in places like Afghanistan.

The JEF is distinct from existing treaty organisations, but can complement other multinational high-readiness intervention forces and can support the activities of the UN, NATO and the EU.

While the core of the JEF will be provided by the United Kingdom, other participating countries will fill in with national capabilities.

The JEF is planned to reach Full Operational Capability by 2018 when national contributions will be fully integrated and the attached capabilities will be balanced out with land, maritime, air and cyber elements that will be adjustable to sa pecific operation or mission.

Among others, Lithuania plans contributing a company-sized unit; moreover, a Lithuanian officer will be assigned to the JEF operational headquarters in the United Kingdom as of 2016.