British 'Desert Rats' leading NATO’s first line of defence in 2024.

One of the most prestigious brigades within the British Army has assumed a central role in NATO's operations this year. On January 11th, in a ceremony held in Münster, Germany, the 1st German Netherlands Corps (1GNC) officially handed over command of NATO's Land Component Command of the NATO Response Force to the United Kingdom's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC). The ARRC commenced its tour of duty on January 1st, 2024, and is now on standby with thousands of British Army soldiers ready to deploy swiftly as a rapid response unit in defense of NATO member states.
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On January 11th, 2024, in a ceremony held in Münster, Germany, the 1st German Netherlands Corps (1GNC) officially handed over command of NATO's Land Component Command of the NATO Response Force to the United Kingdom's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) (Picture source: British Army)

Following this transfer of command, the Secretary of State for Defence, Grant Shapps, announced on January 15th that the UK would deploy approximately 20,000 personnel for one of NATO's largest operations since the Cold War's conclusion. The Exercise Steadfast Defender will involve the deployment of 16,000 British Army troops across Eastern Europe from February to June 2024, accompanied by tanks, artillery, and helicopters. This substantial force, alongside approximately 4,000 personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, will join forces with 31 NATO allies and Sweden across various European countries, aiming to assess NATO's readiness in its 75th year.

Grant Shapps emphasized the importance of being prepared in the face of evolving threats, stating, "We are in a new era and we must be prepared to deter our enemies, prepared to lead our allies and prepared to defend our nation whenever the call comes." He highlighted the resurgence of old adversaries and the changing dynamics in the global order.

The Exercise Steadfast Defender will encompass live fire maneuvers, parachute jumps, the collaboration of an Army and Navy joint helicopter force, and the deployment of Army Special Operations Forces throughout Eastern Europe. The primary objective of the British Army's deployment is to evaluate and enhance the readiness of the UK's land forces in safeguarding NATO and strengthening their capacity to work in conjunction with allied armed forces.

Leading NATO's Land Component Command's spearhead force will be the UK's 7th Light Mechanized Brigade Combat Team, known as The Desert Rats. This brigade will also assume leadership of NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF). The VJTF leadership rotates annually among NATO member states, with the UK taking over from Germany in 2023. The VJTF represents the highest-readiness component of NATO's broader Response Force (NRF), which includes air, maritime, and special operations forces.

Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas R M Borton KCB DSO MBE, the Commander of ARRC, expressed honor at the transition of responsibilities and the commitment of NATO to defend its territory and deter aggression in these uncertain times. The ARRC is fully prepared to address a diverse range of possible missions assigned to it.

The establishment of NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force followed Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and was first deployed for the collective defense of the Alliance after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. This same force played a crucial role in responding to the activation of NATO's Strategic Reserve Force in Kosovo the previous year.

In 2024, the VJTF land forces will comprise approximately 6,000 troops and over 600 armored and protected mobility vehicles, with The Desert Rats leading the way. The UK's contribution will include 4,200 troops from 55 units across the Field Army, consisting of a light cavalry regiment, two light-mechanized infantry battalions, and supporting artillery, engineering, logistics, and medical regiments. Combat units such as the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, the 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment will also be part of this force.

The Desert Rats will deploy their Headquarters, Spearhead Battlegroup, and a portion of their light cavalry Battlegroup for Exercise Steadfast Defender, focusing on the rapid deployment of VJTF's lead elements. NATO partners will join the Desert Rats for interoperability training, marking the first time that the VJTF oversees a NATO border with Russia following Finland's accession to the alliance in April 2023.

In addition to these commitments, the British Army maintains its presence in NATO through the leadership of the enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) mission in Estonia. A brigade of troops is kept at high readiness in the UK to reinforce Estonia and the wider Baltic region in times of crisis. Operation Cabrit involves around 1,000 UK troops persistently deployed to Estonia as part of this mission. Furthermore, the UK contributes a Reconnaissance Squadron to a US-led NATO battlegroup in Poland and a Ground-Based Air Defence system (Sky Sabre) to help safeguard Polish airspace.

Defense News January 2024