Germany has assumed leadership of NATO's Very-High-Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) at the start of the new year. Germany contributes 8,000 soldiers of the VJTF's total of 11,500. As the force with the highest readiness for short-term deployments, the VJTF must be prepared for deployment to any location within 48-72 hours. "While Russia's illegal war in Ukraine continues to threaten peace and security in Europe, there must be no doubt about NATO's determination to protect and defend every inch of the alliance's territory," NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said.
Germany Takes Over Leadership Of NATO's 'Spearhead Force'
Units from NATO allied countries take part in the NATO Noble Jump 2015 exercises, part of testing and refinement of the Very-High-Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) in Swietoszow, Poland.