SARDINIA, Italy - Elements of the NATO Response Force (NRF) have been conducting the alert and deployment exercise Noble Jump 2023 on the Italian island of Sardinia since Thursday, Apr 27, 2023.
After leaving their home bases and arriving in Sardinia by sea and air, the NATO troops, under the overall command of the 1 German-Netherlands Corps have reached the south of Sardinia, ready for integration training.
Altogether, some 2,200 soldiers from seven NATO Nations (Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Czechia, Luxembourg, Belgium and Latvia) and approximately 500 vehicles of various kinds, have now deployed to the designated training areas.
The troops train as part of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) which is the spearhead of the NRF. The VJTF Land component this year is led by the German Armoured Infantry Brigade 37 from Frankenberg in Saxonia, Germany.
The VJTF23 self-propelled howitzer "Panzerhaubitze 2000" is ready for exercise Noble Jump 23 in Sardinia. - NATO photo by corporal (OR-4) Martin Glinker, DEU-A
The aim of the exercise is to demonstrate the capabilities and integration of NATO forces from across the Alliance. The exercise directly contributes to NATO's deterrence and defence posture and improves the interoperability, readiness and cohesion of Allied forces. By deploying to Sardinia, the VJTF have demonstrated they can deploy NATO forces in the event of crisis.
Those forces include, Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks, self-propelled howitzers (known as 'Panzerhaubitze 2000') Infantry Fighting Vehicles, 'Tiger' Attack Helicopters and 'Stinger' Anti-Aircraft Systems. These forces will integrate through various military scenarios until May 13, 2023.
On Friday, May 12, participating elements will join forces in a live fire Joint Allied Powers Demonstration Day (JAPDD), displaying their skills and readiness to protect and defend Allied territory wherever and whenever needed.
All units and equipment will return to their home bases on completion of the exercise with exception of some Norwegian units which will participate in the Italian exercise Joint Stars. They too will return home on completion.