Report: NATO Allies Will Create A New Rapid Reaction Force

A 10,000 strong division-sized joint expeditionary force will be formed by Seven NATO members, with Britain leading the way.

The countries that will forge the new fighting force are Denmark, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Norway, the Netherlands and possibly Canada.

The force will be modeled after a U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) but on a larger scale. Meaning this force will include armor, landing craft, ships, helicopters, and air assets. It will also possess the necessary equipment for continuous fighting for 30 straight days.

The target goal is to have enough assets and equipment to stop an incursion into a NATO members territory by responding within 2–3 days. With the ability to mount air and amphibious assaults. The rapid reaction force will also participate in many upcoming exercises to increase interoperability between national forces.

Footage of Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines executing a massive combined amphibious forcible entry landing Mar. 31 at Dokseok-ri Beach in Pohang, ROK during exercise Ssang Yong 2014. Ssang Yong incorporates more than 13,630 U.S. and ROK Navy-Marine and Australian Army forces, and effectively demonstrates the unique abilities of a forward-deployed Marine air-ground task force, and III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Video by Cpl. Matthew Manning | III Marine Expeditionary Force / Marine Corps Installations Pacific

Britain has decided it will donate the largest amount of equipment and personnel to the force and will act as its leader. British Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to announce the creation of the force next week, at the Sept. 4–5 NATO summit in Wales.

The new force was created in response to Russia’s aggressive behavior regarding Ukraine and Georgia and may deter further acts of aggression in the near future.