French Forces to Lead Land and Air Components of NATO’s High-Readiness ARF
In a significant milestone for NATO’s evolving defense posture, France is set to take command of both the land and air components of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF)…
In a significant milestone for NATO’s evolving defense posture, France is set to take command of both the land and air components of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) starting July 1, 2026. This dual leadership role, running through June 30, 2027, underscores France’s growing prominence within the Alliance and marks a historic first for the French Army in leading the ARF’s land component.
The Allied Reaction Force, established in 2024 as a successor to the NATO Response Force (NRF), represents a more robust, high-readiness multinational capability. Designed to deploy rapidly—within as little as 10 days—the ARF is a multi-domain force capable of addressing…



