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Multinational Land Forces and the NATO Force Structure Review

Authored by Dr. Thomas-Durell Young.

Other Studies by Keyword

+[NATO] +[Military Committee] +[Force Structure] +[Multinational Land Forces] +[Combined Joint Task Force] +[Long-Term Study]

Brief Synopsis

Since 1991, standing and mobilization forces made available by nations to NATO have been steadily reduced, particularly in the case of land forces. Equally important have been the structures NATO has created into which national contributions would fall on deployment. Military Committee (MC) 317, accepted by nations in 1991, provides the framework by which NATO organizes its forces. However, the author argues that, while there are arguably sufficient reaction forces to support NATO Ministerial Guidance, there are numerous weaknesses that would, and have, inhibited the efficient and effective deployment of land forces in crises. More specifically, there are insufficient deployable reaction headquarters, both at the corps and component command level, that would support a commander of a NATO Combined Joint Task Force. The continued existence of what has become atavistic practices of nations impede and inhibit the employment of multinational land forces by an Allied commander. The author observes that the NATO Force Structure Review offers nations an opportunity to review these dated structures, organizations, and practices.

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Also by the Author/Editor:

Shaping the World through Engagement: Assessing the Department of Defense's Theater Engagement Planning Process
European Security: Washington's Shaping Strategy in Action
Defining U.S. Atlantic Command's Role in the Power Projection Strategy
Reforming NATO's Military Structures: The Long-Term Study and Its Implications for Land Forces
Multinational Land Formations and NATO: Reforming Practices and Structures
"Enhancing" the Australian-U.S. Defense Relationship: A Guide to U.S. Policy
Command in NATO After the Cold War: Alliance, National, and Multinational Consideration
Force, Statecraft and German Unity: The Struggle to Adapt Institutions and Practices

View other pubs in the following categories:

Europe and Russia
Future Forces