"Crucial first step": Portsmouth Royal Navy sailors to take charge of premier Nato maritime force
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Highly-trained Royal Navy sailors in Portsmouth will be taking charge of one of Nato’s primary forces.
British personnel will assume command of the Allied Reaction Force (Maritime) next year. This is the nautical element of the alliance’s response to international crisis’, where they will be tasked to deploy anywhere within its area of responsibility.
Rear Admiral Mark Anderson, Commander of the United Kingdom Strike Force, and his Portsmouth staff will be taking over command from the Spanish Navy on July 1, 2026. The first step is to be in charge of Exercise Steadfast Dagger, a table top and planning exercise.
This is one of several drills to test the British personnel ahead of taking on their new duties next summer. If activated, ARF(M) would muster the relevant warships, naval air power and support vessels to intervene in a crisis within ten days. It will have to be as large or small depending on the situation.
Lieutenant General Gianluca Carai, an Italian red beret, was involved in training the Portsmouth staff. “I am impressed by the extraordinary level of professionalism and commitment of the COMUKSTRIKEFORCE to address all NATO core tasks,” he said. “In particular, I would emphasise the amazing level of innovation and technology of the modern UK naval assets.
“For this, I would express my greatest gratitude to the British Royal Navy, Armed Forces and National Authorities for all the efforts and resources invested to achieve and sustain this so relevant capability for NATO.”
Rear Admiral Anderson said the UK is committed to both Nato and taking command of the maritime component of the ARF.
“It is a clear demonstration to all our partners and Allies that the Royal Navy will play its part in responding to crisis, conflict and competition<” he added. “Steadfast Dagger is the crucial first step in our journey to demonstrating the world-class capabilities of the CSF Battlestaff.
“I am extremely proud of my team and the effort they have put into preparing and delivering this exercise and it is a real privilege to represent that to General Carai.”
In the new year, they will have real warships, aircraft and ground forces – including Royal Marines of the UK Commando Force – to direct during Exercise Dynamic Mariner 2026. This is part of the UK’s Cold Response winter deployment in the Norwegian Arctic.