UK-led Allied Reaction Force put to its first big test on Exercise Steadfast Dart

Around 10,000 personnel from Nato’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF) are taking part in its first large-scale deployment exercise – with the British Army’s 1st (United Kingdom) Division leading the land component.

Soldiers, sailors, marines and aviators from nine nations – including Special Forces – are heading to Bulgaria, Greece and Romania on Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025, the alliance’s largest exercise of the year.

The ARF is a relatively new concept, having only been set up on 1 July 2024. Its role is to provide multi-domain forces from across the alliance at shorter notice than had been previously possible.

The aim of Steadfast Dart, which runs until 26 February, is to test and train the operational deployment of the ARF and the rapid reinforcement of Nato forces located along its eastern flank.

To make the exercise more realistic, this reinforcement will take place amid the background of a simulated emerging conflict.

According to Nato, it will demonstrate that the ARF is able to conduct and sustain complex operations across thousands of kilometres of territory in Eastern Europe – and in any conditions.

In addition to the UK, the other participating nations are Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, Slovenia and Turkey.

The 10,000-strong contingent will be backed up by 17 naval vessels including, amphibious landing ships, frigates, mine countermeasure vessels, destroyers and submarines.

More than 20 aircraft will be supporting the exercise including Typhoons, F-16s, AV-8B Harriers and the A400 Atlas.

The land contingent includes more than 1,500 vehicles including tanks, rocket launchers, self-propelled artillery, infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers.

While 1st (UK) Div commands the land component of the ARF, the force as a whole is led by Nato’s Rapid Deployable Corps Italy, which is based in Solbiate Olona.

It’s responsible for ensuring the ARF can deliver the Three Fs – force, fire and effect – within 10 days to either strengthen deterrence or provide what is described as a “strategic dilemma” for its adversaries.