NATO Enhanced Forward Presence

The coat of arms of the Enhanced Forward Presence.

Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) is a NATO-allied forward-deployed defense and deterrence military force in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. This posture in Northern Europe through Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and in Central Europe through Poland, Slovakia and Hungary and in Eastern Europe through Romania and Bulgaria, is in place to protect and reassure the security of NATO's Northern, Central and Eastern European member states on NATO's eastern flank.^[1][2]

Following Russia's invasion of Crimea, NATO's member states agreed at the 2016 Warsaw summit to forward deploy four multinational battalion battle groups to areas most likely to be attacked.^[3]

The numbers involved, although a notable supplement to the armed forces of the country being defended, are limited so that they avoid seeming to threaten Russia. The chief value of the force is that it is impossible to invade Poland or the Baltic States without battling the soldiers and firing on the flags of the involved NATO states, giving cause for war. It is believed that the prospect of war with all those countries will deter aggression.^{[citation needed]}

The original four multinational battalion battle groups are based in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, and led by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and the United States respectively.^[4]

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO members agreed to establish four more multinational battalion battle groups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia led by Italy, Hungary, France, Czech Republic respectively at 2022 Madrid Summit.^[5]

Country	Location	Leading state	Participants as of November 2022^[update][5]	Troops (approx.)[A][6][7]
Bulgaria	Kabile	Italy	Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Turkey, United States	1,650[8][A]
Estonia	Tapa	United Kingdom	Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, United States	2,200
Hungary	Tata	Hungary	Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Turkey, United States	1,054[A]
Latvia	Ādaži	Canada	Albania, Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,[9][10] United States	4,000
Lithuania	Rukla	Germany	Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, United States	3,700
Poland	Orzysz	United States	Croatia, Romania, United Kingdom	11,600
Romania	Cincu	France	Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, United States	4,700
Slovakia	Lešť	Spain	Czech Republic, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United States	1,100[A]

1. The data is from November 2022. The numbers in Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia include participating troops from their own national Armed Forces.

The troops serving in the multinational battalion battle groups rotate every six months and train and operate with their host nations' militaries.

Multinational Battalion Battle Group Estonia

Belgium

The Belgian Army contributes a 269-soldier strong Belgian Land Component armoured infantry company from the Chasseurs Ardennais with support elements and HQ staff officers.^[11]

Denmark and Iceland

Additionally the Danish Army will deploy a mechanized force by 2018 at the latest.^[12] Three brigade HQ support personnel from the Royal Danish Army and 1 strategic communications civilian from the Icelandic defence forces have also been stationed in Estonia.^[13]

France

The British unit will be supported by a mixed battle group from the French Army's 9th Light Armoured Marine Brigade consisting of a mechanized infantry company from the 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment equipped with VBCI infantry fighting vehicles, artillery from the 11th Marine Artillery Regiment equipped with CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, and combat engineers from the 6th Engineer Regiment, with a company of Leclerc main battle tanks from the 7th Armoured Brigade's 1st Chasseurs Regiment attached for the deployment.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom under Operation Cabrit^[14] deployed 800 personnel from the British Army's 20th Armoured Brigade Combat Team:

• 5th Battalion of The Rifles with Warrior infantry fighting vehicles
• and the Queen's Royal Hussars with Challenger 2 main battle tanks.
• Artillery, an armoured engineer squadron, logistics specialists and reconnaissance assets will be attached to the British contingent.^[15]

The British Army's 5th Battalion, The Rifles battlegroup, rotated back to the United Kingdom in November 2017 and was replaced by a battlegroup formed around the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh.^[16]

During 2022 between March and June Exercise Spring Storm took place which brought AgustaWestland Apache AH.1's and AgustaWestland Wildcat AH.1's to Estonia and other Eastern European countries.^[17]

As part of Aviation Task Force 3 under Operation Peleda, Chinook HC.5/6s from No. 27 Squadron RAF were deployed to Amari Air Base between 8 July and September 2022. They were supported by the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron, Tactical Supply Wing RAF and 244 Signal Squadron (Air Support) (of 30 Signal Regiment).^[18] Chinook HC.5/6s from No. 18 Squadron RAF deployed to Amari from January to February 2023.^[19]

Multinational Brigade Latvia

Italian Army 1st Bersaglieri Regiment VTLM Lince being refueled by Canadian Army and Slovenian Army troops

Italian Army 4th Tank Regiment Ariete main battle tank and a Canadian Army LAV VI during a training exercise

Structure of Latvian eFP Battle Group

The Latvian multinational battalion battle group is based at Camp Adazi, near the Latvian capital of Riga, and contains approximately 1,500 personnel.^[20][21]

Albania

Albania will send a small detachment of 21 EOD engineers from the Albanian Land Force.

Canada

Canada provides the core of the NATO battle group in Latvia with approximately 540 mechanized infantry and supporting troops. This contingent, Operation Reassurance, is provided by Canada's high-readiness brigade, a task which rotates annually amongst the three Regular Force brigades of the country. Reservists from more than 100 units across Canada have provided several augmentees to each rotation.^[22]

2017

In 2017, the contingent was provided by 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Western Canada, which handed over to 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Eastern Canada in 2018. The 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), based in CFB Gagetown, rotated in to relieve the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI).^[23]

2018

In June 2018, the 2nd Battalion RCR was replaced by the 1st Battalion RCR, based out of Petawawa, Ontario.

2019

In January 2019, Canada's French-speaking mechanized brigade from Quebec, (5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group), took on the task. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Sauvé, and most of the soldiers were from the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22^e Régiment (2R22^eR) or the armoured 12^e Régiment blindé du Canada (12^e RBC).^[24] In accordance with this rotation cycle, they were replaced in July 2019 by the 2nd Battalion PPCLI from the 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.

2020

In January 2020, a battle group led by Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), of the 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, rotated in to Latvia, and was replaced by a battle group led by the 2nd Battalion RCR.

2021

In January 2021, a battle group led by the Royal Canadian Dragoons, of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, relieved the 2nd Battalion RCR.

2023

On 15 December 2023 the Canadian Defence Minister announced several measures to strengthen Canada’s military presence in Latvia as part of the planned increase from about 1,000 Canadian personnel to 2,200 by 2026. These include:^[25]

• The deployment of four Griffon helicopters to the battle group starting in summer 2024. These will be periodically joined by Chinook helicopters, starting in autumn 2025.
• The procurement of portable LR Spike anti-armour missile systems for the Canadian Forces in Latvia. These will be arriving from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems starting in mid-2024.
• The deployment of medium-range radar capabilities, which will support the battle group's air defence. They will be joined in due course by a to-be-procured Canadian air defence system.
• The full complement of about 130 personnel for Canada's tank squadron of 15 Leopard 2A4M tanks should be in place by spring 2024.
• A total investment of more than CA$15 million in infrastructure needed to scale up the battle group to a brigade group.

2024

On 15 February 2024, the Canadian Defence Minister announced that the Canadian Armed Forces members in Latvia will receive air defence capabilities consisting of:

• The RBS 70 NG short-range air defence system to defend themselves against fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters within its range, close air support aircraft, small uncrewed aerial systems, and larger uncrewed aerial systems.
• A counter-drone capability against small drones using the TRD Systems of Singapore ORION-H9 dismounted directional systems; the CACI Inc. of the United States CACI BEAM 3.0 omni-directional systems; and the Leonardo UK Ltd. Falcon Shield fixed-site systems.^[26]

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic provides a mortar platoon of 55 soldiers.^[27]

Denmark

In April 2022, the first part of a force consisting of about 750 Danish soldiers, along with armoured vehicles, arrived in Latvia.^[28]

Italy

Italy will provide an Italian Army mechanized Infantry company with Freccia and Dardo infantry fighting vehicles. Recently the Italian Army has reinforced its presence with 8 Ariete main battle tanks.

Montenegro

Montenegro provides a reconnaissance squad.^[13]

Poland

Poland provides an armored company with PT-91 Twardy main battle tanks.

Slovenia

Slovenia will deploy an Infantry reconnaissance platoon, Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) team, Contribution to battlegroup headquarters, Support elements of the Slovenian Armed Forces.

Slovakia

Slovakia deployed an armored infantry company consisting of 150 troops from 11th Mechanized Battalion starting in second half of 2018. The Slovak force contribution consists of:

• a Mechanized Company on BMP2
• Command and Control Element
• Military Police team
• Repairs and Operation Platoon as a support element
• A team of medics

Since December 2020, Slovakia has changed capabilities from Mechanized to Artillery. SLOVCON consists of:

• Artillery Battery on Zuzana II
• Support Platoon (Repairs and Maintenance)
• NSE (National Support Element)
• Military Police Team
• Priest
• Medic Team

Spain

Spain will dispatch a reinforced armored infantry company consisting of around 350 troops from the 11th Mechanized Infantry Brigade "Extremadura". The Spanish contingent will include 6 Leopard 2E main battle tanks from the I/16th Tank Battalion "Mérida" of the 16th Armored Regiment "Castilla" and 15 Pizarro infantry fighting vehicles from the I/6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Cantabria" of the 6th Infantry Regiment "Saboya".^[29]

Sweden

The Swedish Prime minister announced during a defence conference in January of 2024 that Sweden will provide a Battalion to Latvia in 2025 as part of NATO's forward presence when Sweden joins NATO.^[30] The Battalion will be deployed in cooperation with Denmark with a changeover between a Danish and a Swedish battalion every 6 months. Initially the 71 Motorized battalion is earmarked for the Deployment.

Multinational Battalion Battle Group Lithuania

The Lithuania multinational battalion battle group is under the command of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf of the Lithuanian Land Forces and based in Rukla.^[31] The battalion has a headquarters company, three to four combat companies and various support units.^[31] The battle group is led by Germany.^[32] Each rotation lasts six months.^[33] Additionally, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the German Armed Forces have expanded their presence in Lithuania. In December 2023 German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius and Lithuanian Minister of Defence Arvydas Anušauskas agreed on plans to permanently station a full German Brigade in Lithuania beginning in 2025.^[34]

Date	November 2017[35]		Parent unit(s)	March 2019[36]		Parent unit(s)	October 2020[37]		Parent unit(s)
Country/number of troops
Belgium	60	Support elements		1	Staff officer for battlegroup headquarters		1	Public affairs officer
Czech Republic	n/a	-		230[27]	Mechanized infantry company Support elements		35	Electronic warfare element Support elements
Croatia	178	Mechanized infantry company (15x Patria MV armoured vehicles, 4x multiple-launch rocket system 3x M-ATV mine-resistant vehicles)	1st Mechanized Battalion "Tigers" of Mechanized Guard Brigade[38]	208	Mechanized infantry company		208	Mechanized infantry company
France	n/a	-		n/a	-		275	Mechanised infantry company Armoured platoon with MBT
Germany	450	Armoured infantry battalion with AFVs complemented with MBTs and self-propelled artillery Mobility engineers, Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (incl. tactical UAVs) and support elements		540	Armoured infantry company Combat service Combat service support		527	Armoured company Mechanised infantry platoon Combat service Combat service support
Iceland	1	1 Coast guard officer for explosive ordnance disposal		1	Public affairs civilian		1	Public affairs civilian
Luxembourg	22	Integrated into Belgian Support elements		n/a	-		4	Transportation team
Netherlands	250-270	Armoured infantry company with AFV		250-270	Mechanised infantry company with AFV		270	Mechanised infantry company Logistics support element
Norway	200	Combined arms company - armoured	Drawn from Telemark Battalion and other Brigade Nord units [equipped with CV9030 IFVs and Leopard 2A4NO MBTs]	13	Joint fires section	Artillery Battalion	120	Armoured infantry company with AFV
Total	1181			1055			1233

Belgium and Luxembourg

2017

The Belgian Army sent a logistic support company, which arrived in Lithuania on 24 January 2017. The 100 men from the 18th Logistics Battalion and 29th Logistics Battalion of the Belgian Land Component with medical and military police units attached arrived by ferry in Klaipėda and contain a small detachment of troops from the Luxembourg Army,^[39][40] which brought with them around ten transport trucks.^[41]

Czech Republic

In July 2018, Czechia provided EFP Lithuania the 1st Company Task Force consisting of a mechanized company with Pandur armored vehicles reinforced by an engineer platoon, a logistics unit and a medical element reaching a total of 230 people.^[42] After six months, they were replaced by the 2nd Task Force for the next half-year.^[42] Both task forces consisted of the 41st Mechanized Battalion [cs]'s soldiers.^[42] After deployment, the company task force returned to the Czech Republic in July 2019.^[42] From then on until 2021, Czech Army sent four electronic warfare task forces.^[42] Since July 2021, an anti-aircraft missile battery from the 252nd Anti-Aircraft Missile Section (sub-unit of the 25th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment [cs]) armed with RBS 70 has been operating in Lithuania.^[42]

France

Some 200 soldiers from 5th Dragoon Regiment of the French Army have arrived to Rukla on 3 July 2020, staying there for 6 months until the end of December, with a hundred more administration and logistics personnel. The troops form a mechanised infantry company and are reinforced with 5 Leclerc tanks and 14 VBCI IFVs.^[43]

Germany

The first German Army unit to deploy to Lithuania is the 122nd Mechanized Battalion of the 12th Armoured Brigade [de] of the 10th Panzer Division. Equipped with Marder infantry fighting vehicles the battalion will be augmented with Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks from the 104th Tank Battalion, PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery from the 131st Artillery Battalion engineers from the 4th Armored Engineer Battalion and troops from the 4th Supply Battalion.

Norway

2018-2019

From January to June 2018 about 30 soldiers deployed from the Intelligence Battalion's long-range reconnaissance patrol squadron.

2019-2021

From July 2019 troops from the Telemark Battalion and the Armoured Battalion are alternating on deploying an armoured infantry company with IFVs and MBTs consisting of 120-140 soldiers.^[44][45][46]

2022

From January 2022 2nd Battalion contributes a mechanized company with a tank capacity of about 140 personnel^[47]

The Norwegian Government said in February 2022 that it will increase its contribution with up to 60 soldiers due to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis.^[48] In June 2022 the Government extended Norway's contribution in Lithuania until 2023 due to the war in Ukraine.^[49]

In August 2022 the taskforce was increased by a platoon from Telemark Battalion, bringing the total number of troops up to ca. 200.^{[citation needed]}

Multinational Battalion Battle Group Poland

The Poland-based multinational battalion Battle Group, known as Battle Group Poland (BGPOL),^[50] is currently^[when?] led by the United States Army's 2nd ("Cougars") Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment (United States) headquartered in Rose Barracks, Germany. The Battle Group consists of a US combined-arms battalion, a Sabre Squadron from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, a Croatian rocket artillery battery, and an ADA company from the Romanian Army.

The Battle Group is attached to the Polish Army's 16th Mechanized Brigade and based in Orzysz located south of Kaliningrad Oblast and 120 kilometers away from the Suwałki Gap.

Incidents

In June 2021, around 30 German soldiers were recalled from service in Lithuania after they were accused of making racist and anti-Semitic remarks and of sexual violence.^[51]

References

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37. NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence (PDF). 2020.
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39. German Army eFP site
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External links

• NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence nato.int, May 2017
• Overview of the EFP on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia website