The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) led by the United Kingdom takes an active role in responding to critical infrastructure damage in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea regions. The JEF Nations have agreed to coordinate between themselves and shortly commit capabilities for the JEF Response Option.
“The recurring damage to critical infrastructure in the region is a serious signal. We need coordination to be able to respond, therefore we are grateful to the Joint Expeditionary Force for the initiative and support it. We, the JEF Nations, have to stay vigilant and able to respond to provocations quickly, to prevent them and deter in the future,” said Vice Minister of National Defence Žilvinas Tomkus on November 28 at a distance meeting of the JEF Defence Ministers.
It was agreed to activate a JEF Response Option which includes deployment of Maritime and Air capabilities in the North and Baltic Sea region as a military contribution to the protection of critical undersea infrastructure. To demonstrate capability and deter threats, the activity will take place in early December to ensure critical infrastructure security in follow-up to the maritime posture adaptation of November.
This is the first time a JEF Response option is activate to respond to a real incident – damage to the pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia this October.
“We view the JEF as one of the primary instruments for response to any crisis, while the activated JEF Response Option is a demonstration that the JEF is a credible contributor to the European security. Collaboration through JEF allows us to pool resources, share intelligence and come up with common solutions to common regional security challenges. It is also suitable for supporting efforts of NATO and other organisations,” said Ž. Tomkus.
Vice Minister underscored that protection of critical infrastructure remains high on the agenda in Lithuania and the Ministry of National Defence works closely to enhance critical infrastructure resilience and security.
The Joint Expeditionary Force is a high-readiness combat capability tailored to respond to emergencies in Europe and beyond: from humanitarian assistance and deterrence to combat operations. The JEF is primarily intended for rapid response operations conducted under the European Union, NATO or United Nations flag. JEF elements can be used for Article 5 operations as well.
Led by the United Kingdom, the JEF is formed by ten Northern European nations –United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland – contributing maritime, air and land capabilities.
