“We consider the United Kingdom-led Joint Expeditionary Force as one of the primary means of response to any kind of crisis,” asserted Vice Minister of National Defence Margiris Abukevičius meeting Standing Joint Force Headquarters (SJFHQ) Commander Maj Gen James Morris January 27.
Vice Minister and the guest discussed the security environment in view of the Russian force buildup in Belarus – M. Abukevičius stressed that Russia was posing an increasing military threat to the security of the region and the NATO alliance. Vice Minister also stressed how important the British force presence in the region was.
“The United Kingdom is a special NATO ally whose military presence in the Baltic region presents a powerful deterrent effect. The exceptional role the British have is assembling the likeminded nations in the region. The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is an immediate political and military expression of that,” said M. Abukevičius discussing further prospects of the force with SJFHQ Commander.
Maj Gen J. Morris is conducting a visit to Lithuania on January 25-27: he met with Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen Valdemaras Rupšys, and heads of the Regional Cyber Defence Centre, Cyber Security and Information Technology Policy Group at the Ministry of National Defence and the Strategic Communications Department of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The guest also visited the Lithuanian Armed Forces Defence Staff, NATO Force Integration Unit and the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence.
“The Joint Expeditionary Force is yet one more crucial military unit that is designed to respond swiftly to any threats and ensure deterrence of the aggressor. At the meeting, we have discussed the security situation and threats in the region, as well as Joint Expeditionary Force plans for deterrence and, if necessary, defence for the eastern flank,” said Chief of Defence Lt Gen V. Rupšys.
At the meeting with Chief of the Defence Staff Brig Gen M. Steponavičius Commander of the Joint Expeditionary Force discussed Lithuania’s security and defence and oncoming military exercises in the Baltic Sea region.
The Joint Expeditionary Force is a brigade-sized high readiness combat unit capable of responding to crises on short notice in Europe and beyond: from delivering humanitarian aid and deterrence to combat operations. The primary role of the JEF is rapid response under European Union, NATO or United Nations flag. JEF units could also be activated for NATO Article 5 operations.
The framework nation, the United Kingdom, leads and forms the core of the JEF. Nine partner nations (Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway), Sweden, Finland, Iceland) contribute land, maritime and air capabilities depending on the need.
Lithuania has been contributing one officer to the Operational HQ at Northwood (UK) since 2016, a company-sized Lithuanian unit is attached to the Danish Army Combat Group, and one military medic is attached to the UK field hospital.
Photo credits: MoD, LITHAF
