SOLBIATE OLONA, 30 June 2026 – Today, the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps - Italy (NRDC-ITA) hosted the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) Component Commanders’ Conference (ARF-C3). In its sixth edition, now presented in a refreshed format, the event included ARF Components Commanders of the 2025, 2026 and 2027 ARF packages, accompanied by their respective Command Senior Enlisted Leaders (CSELs).
The event represented a key opportunity to grant continuity, coordination, and operational alignment among the various Component Commands across the rotation cycle. “These face to face between Commanders are critical to share our experience, perspective and collaborative intent in order to enhance readiness and responsiveness”, said ARF HQ Commander.
The engagement offered the opportunity to take advantage of ARF Components 2025 experience and share them in support of ARF 2026, which will be on stand-by from 1 July 2026, and ARF 2027, which will be in stand-up. The systematic sharing of lessons learned remains a cornerstone in the continuous development and adaptation of the ARF initiative within Multi-Domain and Multinational Perspective.
In thanking the nations and the ARF 2025 Commanders for what done in support of the Alliance, the ARF HQ Commander highlighted the opportunity to complete the work and continue spreading the best practices, procedures and battle drills gained during the ARF experience also at the national level. “This means getting double value from the investment made in ARF - first for NATO and then for the nation” he underlined.
Then, the Commanders of ARF 2026 and ARF 2027 presented the main projects to complete over the next few months. In this context, it was highlighted the need to work together to improve levels of interoperability and standardization through the following framework: amend the Prudent Pre-Planned Options, prepare and conduct Mission Rehearsals and contribute to innovation.
In the context of upcoming Mission Rehearsals, a great attention has been given to preparing the Steadfast Dagger (STDA) 2026. Scheduled for the end of the 2026 at the Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) in Stavanger, Norway, STDA26 will certify the full operational capability of ARF components in 2027.
At the same time, similar to the STDT 26 in North Germany, another deployment in the Western Balkans is being prepared for 2027, as part of the Mission Rehearsal activity designed to demonstrate the projection of force and the integration of the Multi-Domain and multinational ARF components.
In addition, it was stressed the need to continue taking advantage of every opportunity to improve knowledge of modern Command and Control systems (i.e. SITAWARE), NATO's Functional Area Services, emerging technologies, and AI-enabled solutions (i.e. MAVEN).
The ARF C3 reaffirms that ARF readiness is a cornerstone of NATO’s strategic posture, ready to adapt, deploy, and operate effectively under any circumstances, reinforcing the Alliance’s credibility as a unified and responsive force.
On the sidelines of the conference, in the presence of the Commander of ARF HQ, the formal ceremony of responsibility handover between the commanders of ARF 2025 and those of ARF 2026 took place, who from July 1, 2026, will be on standby under the guidance of NRDC-ITA to face operational challenges.