Forward-basing, also known as forward deployment and forward presence, is a practice used by some militaries to establish an enduring presence in a foreign country as a means of

power projection Power projection (or force projection or strength projection), in international relations, is the capacity of a state to deploy and sustain forces outside its territory. The ability of a state to project its power into an area may serve as an e ...

and furthering national interests. Forward-based personnel, equipment and facilities can be used to carry out a variety of tasks, including expeditionary warfare, deterrence, logistical support, joint training and intelligence gathering. In addition to these strategic benefits, forward-based units have the tactical benefit of being able to respond to threats quicker due to their closer proximity. Aside from these advantages, forward basing also has its risks. Forward basing is reliant on access agreements with the host nation but politics risks this permission being revoked at any time. They also face operational risks due to their closer proximity to threats. Throughout history, great powers such as the United States, United Kingdom, France and Russia have made extensive use of forward-basing to further their

foreign policy A State (polity), state's foreign policy or external policy (as opposed to internal or domestic policy) is its objectives and activities in relation to its interactions with other states, unions, and other political entities, whether bilaterall ...

objectives. The United States, for example, has a large number of military units forward-based in the Middle East to counter terrorism, as well as hostile state activity from Iran. Forward based units of the United States military operate from forward operating bases (FOBs) and main operating bases (MOBs). The presence of forward based units can offer reassurance to allies which would otherwise be vulnerable. The

NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) is a NATO-allied forward-deployed defense and deterrence military force in Central and Northern Europe. This posture in Central Europe through Poland and Northern Europe through Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, is in ...

(eFP) arrangement, for example, seeks to provide reassurance to Poland, Estonia,

Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika, links=no, ltg, Latvejas Republika, links=no, liv, Leţmō Vabāmō, links=no), is a country in the Baltic region of ...

and

Lithuania Lithuania (; lt, Lietuva ), officially the Republic of Lithuania ( lt, Lietuvos Respublika, links=no ), is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Lithuania ...

following Russia's annexation of Crimea.

References

{{reflist Military doctrines

See also

References