24/48/72h High-Readiness Forces and the Compression of Reinforcement Timelines
Closing the Time-to-Response Gap in Forward Defence and Eastern Flank Deterrence
24/48/72h High-Readiness Forces address a structurally decisive failure mode in collective defence: the inability to translate political activation into combat-effective reinforcement within the first days of a crisis. In the contemporary threat environment, adversary strategy is often built around tempo—seizing terrain, disrupting infrastructure and shaping escalation before allied forces can mass sufficient combat power in theatre. The operational vulnerability is therefore not merely force size but time-to-fight. By structuring designated units, enablers and command elements to move, arrive and integrate within 24 to 72 hours, this capability seeks to deny rapid fait accompli scenarios and to ensure that forward defence is credible from the outset rather than dependent on delayed counteroffensive recovery.