NATO Force Integration Units (NFIUs) are small command and control headquarters whose key mission is to facilitate the rapid deployment of NATO Forces and additional rapid response elements into the region if required. The NFIUs play a pivotal role in planning, exercising, and assisting potential reinforcements, thereby providing a vital link between national forces and multinational NATO forces.
The establishment of the first six NFIUs in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania was agreed by NATO heads of state and government at the 2014 Wales Summit. The NFIUs were officially activated on 1 September 2015. Two more NFIUs, in Hungary and Slovakia, were later activated on 1 September 2016.
The primary role of the NATO Force Integration Unit Lithuania (NFIU LTU) is to facilitate the rapid deployment of NATO forces in order to enhance Alliance responsiveness, whilst providing a visible and permanent forward presence on NATO’s east flank.
The NFIU Lithuania plays a vital role in facilitating cooperation between national forces and other NATO allies. The NFIU Lithuania operates as an intermediate unit, facilitating interoperability among national and Allied forces. In addition, it facilitates the enhancement of allied training and exercises, as well as liaison with NATO’s operational commands.
The NFIU Lithuania collaborates with national forces to identify deployment and sustainment lines of communications and nodes, key logistical infrastructure, and other necessary infrastructure in the country necessary for NATO reinforcements. This ensures that NATO’s high-readiness forces can deploy to the region as quickly as possible and work together effectively to help keep our nation safe.
The NFIU Lithuania has an international staff of 40 military personnel, with half of these being provided by Lithuania and the remainder by 12 Allied nations.
The NFIU Lithuania is currently under the command of Colonel Merlijn Heiligers (Royal Netherlands Army).
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