Sir NIcholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the composition is of a NATO Spearhead Force; and what the UK role and obligation is in such forces.

Mr Julian Brazier, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Reserves: NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) has been developed since the Wales Summit in 2014 as part of an enhanced NATO Response Force. The VJTF has a brigade sized land force held at very high readiness; NATO's Standing Naval Forces include groups of destroyers, frigates, and mine countermeasures vessels; and the air element comprises fighters and bombers.

The UK is making a major contribution to the VJTF by providing ships and aircraft each year in addition to leading the VJTF land brigade in 2017. We are also contributing an infantry battlegroup to the Spanish-led VJTF land brigade this year and will support the Polish-led VJTF in 2020.

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