§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what details of national contributions to the ACE rapid reaction corps have been finalised; and what details have yet to be finalised.
§ Mr. HanleyThe outline structure of the ACE rapid reaction corps was published in the 1992 Statement on the Defence Estimates. In addition to the HQ framework, the United Kingdom will assign the 1st UK Armoured Division, 3rd (UK) Division, and combat service support for both these divisions. The United Kingdom will also assign 24 Airmobile brigade to the multinational division (Central) (MND(C)), together with a contribution to the divisional HQ and communications elements. The German, Dutch and Belgian Governments have also agreed to assign brigades to the MND(C). The Greek, Turkish and Italian Governments have provisionally agreed to assign brigades to the multinational division (South).
On current plans, six nations will also provide a division if required; these are: Germany, Italy, Turkey, Greece, the United States and Spain. Other contributions are also under consideration, and details will be clarified as part of the normal NATO force planning cycle.