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 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.
Forward basing is reliant on access agreements with the host nation but politics risks this permission being revoked at any time.
The presence of forward based units can offer reassurance to allies which would otherwise be vulnerable.
The NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) arrangement, for example, seeks to provide reassurance to Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania following Russia's annexation of Crimea.