Rapier FSC Air Defence System

In addition to its significant contributions to individual NATO Operations, the UK makes a broad range of capabilities available to NATO. Over 95% of our national capabilities are declared as potentially available to NATO.

We are the lead nation of NATO’s multinational ACE Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), one of NATO’s six High Readiness Force (Land) Headquarters and which was deployed as the headquarters for NATO operations in Afghanistan for most of 2006.

The UK also provides one of the three High Readiness Force (Maritime) Headquarters and also contributes to NATO’s Standing Naval Forces. And, by a contribution in kind, the UK makes up 25% of the aircraft in NATO's airborne early warning force.

The UK is also an active contributor to the NATO Response Force (NRF) and has provided Maritime, Land and Air contingents and command elements on a regular basis since the creation of the Force. The UK’s next major NRF commitment will be from July to December 09 when HQ ARRC assumes command of the Land Component Command.  The UK will assume the Maritime Component Command from January to June 2010.  And on current plans the UK will again assume the Land Command in 2012 and the Air Component Command at the same time.