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Nato Multi-National Formations: Uk Participation

Volume 572: debated on Monday 20 May 1996

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asked Her Majesty's Government:To list the multi-national forces to which British military units are committed, and the formal agreements into which the UK has entered with other governments for joint military units and command structures.

The UK currently commits forces to the following NATO multi-national formations: the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (Land) (AMF(L)), Multi-National Division (Central) (MNDC), the Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED), the Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT), the Standing Naval Mine Countermeasures Force (STANAVMINFOR), NATO Airborne Early Warning Force (NAEWF), Immediate Reaction Force (Air) (IRF(A)).The formal basis for the commitment of HM Forces to these multi national formations and to NATO's integrated military command structure is the 1949 Washington Treaty and the 1954 Paris Agreements. The Paris Agreements provide the framework for the commitment, command and control of national military units assigned to the multi-national formations listed above. Within these agreements, nations have agreed detailed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with NATO's military authorities to formalise the manning, administrative and support arrangements. Records of MoUs are not held centrally and a comprehensive list of MoUs involving the UK could only be provided at disproportionate cost.On 9th May 1973 the UK and Netherlands signed an MoU creating the UK/Netherlands Amphibious Landing Force (UK/NL LF). This MoU was re-adapted in 1979 and 1987 and is currently being revised again.