Solbiate Olona, 30 January 2025 – The ARF Component Commanders’ Conference took place today at the operational headquarters of NRDC-ITA, bringing together, in presence and via VTC, all tactical-level commanders of NATO units that, from 1 July 2024 to 2026, will form the components of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF).
Lieutenant General Lorenzo D’Addario welcomed the commanders of the Land, Maritime, Air, Special Operations, Space, and Cyber Component Commands to provide them with guidance regarding planned activities and to receive an update on their operational readiness. Particular focus was given to NRDC-ITA’s upcoming exercises in its role as the ARF Headquarters (HQ), with special attention to Steadfast Dart 2025, which began in the first week of January and is set to conclude at the end of February. This deployment exercise, which is the largest for the Alliance this year, aims to test the deployable capabilities and procedures as well as the interoperability among the troop contributors and host nations.
The ARF embodies a multinational and multi-domain configuration, offering NATO enhanced flexibility to respond swiftly to threats and crises. Since assuming its role as ARF HQ, NRDC-ITA has faced numerous operational challenges, including frequent military exercises, academic studies, and staff training, all of which will culminate this year in Steadfast Dagger 2025, taking place in Norway.
This new role has also strengthened relationships previously established by the NATO Command in Milan, enabling closer collaboration with new partners and allies to share expertise and experiences, thereby reinforcing the principles of cohesion and legitimacy. NRDC-ITA’s selection for this role underscores Italy’s commitment to the Alliance. The ARF forms the central component of NATO’s new Force Model, which supports the concept of Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA). It has been specifically designed to complement NATO’s Regional Plans, as agreed by all Allies during the Vilnius Summit.