As part of the large-scale NATO exercise STEADFAST DART 2026, around 7,300 soldiers from the Alliance's Allied Reaction Force (ARF) have been practising near-deployment to Germany for several days.

The ARF is a combat-strong, rapidly deployable NATO task force of up to 40,000 men and women. This year, the main troop contributors to the ARF are Italy, Spain, France, the UK and Turkey. Based on the Alliance's defence mission, STEADFAST DART is designed to be purely defensive. Germany is the host nation here and will support the ARF during their stay in the country as part of the QUADRIGA 2026 exercise. The support services will be provided by soldiers and civilian members of the Bundeswehr under the term "Drehscheibe Deutschland".

A Spanish-Turkish landing force is currently representing the maritime part of the ARF. This formation departed from Kiel today in the direction of Putlos for an amphibious demonstration. The maritime ARF is supported by other NATO naval forces such as the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 1 (SNMCMG1). The German frigate Brandenburg will support the Spanish-Turkish landing force in its operations in the western Baltic Sea and the North Sea over the next two weeks. After completion of the amphibious landing demonstration, the maritime elements of the ARF will move to the North Sea.

From Thursday, exercises to secure the "wet" supply routes to the German hub will take place as part of the new German naval exercise NORTHERN QUADRIGA. The land elements of the ARF will then practise deploying troops to the eastern flank with German army forces as part of the GRAND QUADRIGA exercise. A particular focus will be the MEDICAL QUADRIGA exercise, during which both the national casualty rescue chain and the strategic transfer of sick and wounded from Lithuania to Germany will be practised.

Text: au

Photo: Nitz