
The NATO Exercise NOBLE JUMP 2023 (NOJU23) VJTF deployment phase is now complete and force integration is underway in Sardinia.
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Media Release, Naples, 05 May 2023: Since 27 April, elements of the NATO Response Force (NRF) have been conducting the alert and deployment exercise NOBLE JUMP 2023 (NOJU23) on the Italian island of Sardinia.
After leaving their home bases and arriving in Sardinia by sea and by air, the NATO troops, under the overall command of the 1. German-Netherlands Corps have reached the south of Sardinia, ready for integration training. Altogether, some 2,200 soldiers from 7 NATO Nations (Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Czechia, Luxembourg, Belgium and Latvia) and approximately 500 vehicles, of various kinds, have now deployed to the designated training areas.

The troops train as part of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) which is the spearhead of the NRF. The VJTF Land component this year is led by the German Armoured Infantry Brigade 37 from Freiberg in Saxonia, Germany.
The aim of Exercise NOJU23 is to demonstrate the capabilities and integration of NATO forces from across the Alliance. The exercise directly contributes to NATO´s deterrence and defence posture and improves the interoperability, readiness and cohesion of Allied forces. By deploying to Sardinia, the VJTF have demonstrated they can deploy NATO forces in the event of crisis.

Those forces include, Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks, self-propelled howitzers (known as ´Panzerhaubitze 2000´), Infantry Fighting Vehicles, ´Tiger´ Attack Helicopters and ´Stinger´ Anti-Aircraft Systems. These forces will integrate through various military scenarios until 13 May 2023. On Friday, 12 May, participating elements will join forces in a live fire Joint Allied Powers Demonstration Day (JAPDD), displaying their skills and readiness to protect and defend Allied territory wherever and whenever needed.
All units and equipment will return to their home bases on completion of the exercise with exception of some Norwegian units which participate in the Italian exercise JOINT STARS. They too will return home on completion.


[NATO photo: Cpl Martin Glinker, DEU-A]
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