NATO strengthens presence in eastern Europe

NATO is to set up a rapid reaction force and six command centres in eastern Europe to bolster the alliance’s ability to respond swiftly to military threats from Russia. The move comes as the U.S. considers supplying lethal weapons to Ukrainian forces
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RAPID REACTION FORCE

Brigade-sized “spearhead” force up to 5,000-strong

Lead units able to deploy at two days notice – rest to follow within seven days

Britain, France and Germany likely to take turns to lead force – U.S. to provide strategic air lift and intelligence-gathering aircraft

NEW COMMAND CENTRES

Six centres staffed by around 50 officers each – half from host country and half from other NATO countries

Responsible for staging exercises and for receiving spearhead force if deployed

NATO to expand headquarters set up by Germany, and Denmark in Polish city of Szczecin
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NATO members

New centres

Pro-Russian rebels have gained more than 500sq km in recent weeks

DENMARK

UK

FRANCE

Szczecin

GERMANY

POLAND

ESTONIA

LATVIA

LITHUANIA

Poland

RUSSIA

BELARUS

UKRAINE

MOLDOVA

Crimea Annexed by Russia

ROMANIA

BULGARIA

Black Sea

TURKEY

250km 150 miles
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“Fire-and-forget” FGM-148 Javelin:

Requested by Ukrainian military

Range: 75m-2,000m

Armour penetration: Up to 800mm

Command Launch Unit: Day and infrared night vision sight

Disposable launch tube

Propulsion: Two-stage solid-fuelled rocket motor

Length: 1.76m

Weight: 28kg

Warhead: 8.4kg shaped charge
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Source: Raytheon/Lockheed Martin

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