U.S. Marines Leave Ukraine After Anti-NATO Demonstrations

(Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty; issued June 11, 2006)

Ukraine officials say some 200 U.S. Marine reservists today began leaving Ukraine after a stay marked by anti-NATO demonstrations.

The reservists arrived in Crimea by ship on May 27, with plans to repair a local training base. But their presence provoked protests by communists and pro-Russian parties, who said NATO was trying to gain a foothold in Ukraine.

The Defense Ministry in Kyiv said on June 11 that the reservists were leaving because their contract had ended. Associated Press reports, however, that no repair work was done at the base.

Ukraine's military cooperation with the West suffered an apparent setback when, on June 8, Ukraine and Britain postponed planned joint military exercises less than a week before they were due to start. Whether the exercises eventually take place will depend on parliament.

It will also be parliament that decides whether multinational military exercises, held annually under the name Sea Breeze, can go ahead, the head of the National Security and Defense Council, Volodymyr Horbulin, said on June 11.

President Viktor Yushchenko has invited 12 nations to join.

-ends-

Steadfast Jaguar 2006

NATO
29-Jun-2006

On 28 June, the NATO Reaction Force ended the active phase of its last test before the Force becomes fully operational in October.

Held in Cape Verde , Exercise Steadfast Jaguar involved some 7,000 sailors, soldiers and airmen in various simulated operations including a demonstration of force and a relief operation following a humanitarian disaster.

Link to Video

NATO Chief Sets Stage for November Summit: Previews Political, Military Issues

(Source: US State Department; issued July 11, 2006)

WASHINGTON --- NATO's secretary-general says he expects the alliance’s ongoing operations, its military capabilities, and major political issues to be the focus of the November NATO summit in Riga, Latvia.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer spoke to the Foundation for International Relations and Foreign Dialogue in Madrid, Spain, July 10. He said he expected that operational issues -- the security situation in Afghanistan, ways to further the Kosovo final status talks, and how to respond to any additional requests for assistance in the Darfur crisis -- will figure prominently in talks among the alliance’s leaders.

De Hoop Scheffer said that to expand stability, the alliance needs to discuss the development of a quick-reaction force that can be deployed at a great distance on short notice, and then sustained for an extended period of time. Further, NATO wants dual-use forces that can perform both high-intensity combat and post-conflict peacekeeping and reconstruction duties, he said.

Political issues on the agenda at Riga, he said, will include the possibility of expanding membership, the progress of NATO partnerships and the establishment of a training initiative.

He also said NATO continues to work closely with Russia even apart from the summit.

NATO’s transformation to meet the threats of the 21st century is embodied in its new security approach of expanding the zone of stability beyond its traditional borders, de Hoop Scheffer said. He pointed out that NATO is both a military and political alliance, which requires not just stronger partnerships but also partnerships with key nations. He said NATO has no desire to become a global entity but rather an organization "with global partners that share our values."

De Hoop Scheffer gave four current operational examples of the alliance’s approach to projecting stability:

-- Afghanistan: NATO's top priority, he said, is to support the Afghan government by helping it provide the security that allows reconstruction and development to take place. "We have to prevent Afghanistan from once again exporting terrorism," he said.

-- Kosovo: In Southeast Europe, de Hoop Scheffer said, NATO troops continue in a peacekeeping role and provide the safety necessary for U.N.-sponsored status talks to proceed. "NATO will remain committed to Kosovo as long as needed," said de Hoop Scheffer.

-- Iraq: NATO is training Iraqi security forces to take responsibility for their own security.

-- Sudan: NATO is supplying aircraft to airlift African Union (AU) peacekeeping forces into Sudan's Darfur region and providing training to AU troops, he said.

"These operational commitments I've just described, across three continents, show in the clearest possible way how much NATO has changed," de Hoop Scheffer said.

-ends-

Sweden Joins NATO's Strategic Airlift Program

(Source: Swedish Ministry of Defence; dated July 7, web-posted July 12, 2006)

The Government has decided that Sweden will join the multinational Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS) programme in order to increase its capability to participate in peace-support operations.

"Membership of SALIS means that Sweden will increase its opportunities to participate in peace-support operations over long distances. It is an important step in being able to address the current lack of strategic air transport capability. This is a shortcoming we share with other European countries and it is positive that we can cooperate in finding solutions," says Minister for Defence Leni Björklund.

SALIS is a multinational arrangement between sixteen countries. The arrangement aims at providing the member states with access to strategic air transport capability in connection with peace-support and humanitarian operations. The term strategic transport refers to transport of heavy loads over long distances.

The aircraft that SALIS member countries will have access to are An-124-100s, which can carry loads of up to 120 tonnes. In all, the programme deals with possible access to six aircraft. Two of these will be chartered by SALIS on a full-time basis, which provides rapid access to considerable transport capacity. An additional four aircraft will be available upon request.

The current arrangement will be in effect for a three-year period.

Membership of SALIS means that Sweden will be able to pre-book flying time at a predetermined cost. Under the agreement, Sweden has reserved some 40 flying hours per year, but more time can be booked upon request.

The Government took a decision to sign the SALIS Partnership Cooperation Agreement at a cabinet meeting on 29 June.

-ends-

U.S. Suggests NATO Allies Could Pool Money to Buy C-17 Aircraft

(Source: US State Department; issued July 26, 2006)

WASHINGTON --- The United States says European allies could pool their resources to buy four Boeing C-17 Globemaster III long-range cargo jets – a plan that would help reduce NATO’s chronic airlift shortage while providing more business for Boeing.

“We have an initiative on the table to collectively buy four C-17s,” Victoria Nuland, U.S. ambassador to NATO, said in a recent interview with the Washington File in Brussels, Belgium. “The price is good because the U.S. is buying so many. What we found is that many allies don’t need a whole plane. So if they come together here, they get a 10th of a plane, a 20th of a plane.”

The C-17 is the workhorse of the U.S. Air Force. The four-engine jet can transport about 77,000 kilograms of cargo over the distance of 2,400 nautical miles (4,450 kilometers). The U.S. Air Force is budgeted to buy180 aircraft. But during the Farnborough International Airshow, which ended July 23, in Great Britain, Boeing executives warned they soon would start shutting down the production line if more planes are not ordered. Once production halts, restarting the line significantly would increase the price of individual C-17 aircraft, which currently cost approximately $200 million apiece, according to the U.S. Air Force.

Recent NATO missions in Africa and South Asia have highlighted the need for the alliance forces to be able to deploy themselves over distances spanning thousands of kilometers, requiring modern transport aircraft. NATO forces rushed to Pakistan in October 2005 to assist in search-and-rescue missions after the devastating Central Asia earthquake. This summer, NATO is expanding its force in Afghanistan from under 10,000 troops to about 15,000 as its International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) begins operating throughout the country.

Strategic airlift “has been one of the long-standing shortfalls in European capabilities,” according to a 2005 report on the annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. “Most hopes are pinned on the success of the Airbus A400M,” the report said. However, the A400M is a propeller-driven aircraft that carries approximately 25,000 kilograms of cargo over long distances, about one-third the payload of a C-17. Germany, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Belgium and Luxembourg are committed to acquiring a total of 180 of the Airbus aircraft, which is due to enter service in 2010.

U.S.-based Boeing and Europe-based Airbus are commercial rivals.

As an interim airlift measure, 15 NATO member countries in January signed a three-year renewable contract to charter six Russian and Ukrainian Antanov-124-100 transport aircraft. A single Antonov can carry up to 120,000 kilograms of cargo. “NATO has used Antonovs in the past to transport troops to and from Afghanistan, deliver aid to the victims of the October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, and airlift African Union peacekeepers in and out of Darfur,” NATO officials said in June.

Nuland, the U.S. envoy to NATO, said several nations are interested in owning shares of aircraft rather than purchasing an entire airplane. And the ownership consortium would not necessarily restrict the aircraft to NATO missions.

Under the C-17 joint-ownership plan, “everybody collectively gets more lift, not only for NATO missions, but for national missions, for EU [European Union] missions, so this is a new kind of efficiency,” Nuland said. “It would be a consortium of allies and partners,” she said, adding that details still are being negotiated.

U.S. officials said the plan would include housing and maintaining the aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany – a U.S.-run facility – significantly reducing maintenance and ownership costs associated with large aircraft.

“It’s a work in progress,” Nuland said. “But what’s most important is, can we actually solve the strategic lift problem or make significant progress in the strategic lift problem. Because now it’s proven that with Congo, with Darfur, with Pakistan, if you can’t get there, you can’t go.”

-ends-

Lithuania Details Costs of NATO C-17 Pool Participation

(Source: Lithuanian Ministry of Defence; dated Oct. 9, web-posted Oct. 16, 2006)

The “C-17 initiative” is a name for the NATO member states joint project initiative to purchase military aircrafts C-17 for strategic transportation. The crafts would serve for the needs of the Alliance. If the initiative is implemented, the member states plan to establish and administrate a consortium for purchasing several aircrafts. The exploitation and purchase costs of the initiative would be distributed among the participating countries with regard to the flight hours claimed per year and the craft exploitation time-span.

So far it only a political initiative approximately half of the members plan to join, Lithuania included.

Why would Lithuania take part in this particular mission?

To start with, Lithuania aspires to form modern expeditionary armed forces. And one of their fundamental elements is strategic airlift, i.e. the country has to be able to transport the necessary force with all the required equipment long distances in short time. Not only far-away operations require similar transportation capabilities, but also, in case of extreme situation, they could be used for transporting military capabilities necessary for NATO countries defence. Consequently, participation in the initiative would enhance the security of Lithuania.

Moreover, Lithuania supports the initiatives contributing to the enhancement of collective actions of the Alliance (currently Lithuania receives the feedback of the collective activity in the form of Air police over the Baltic States) The C-17 initiative is the one that strengthens the Alliance. The lack of Strategic Airlift was often indicated as one of essential defects in NATO capabilities. Joining the C-17 initiative Lithuania contributes to strengthening the Alliance as a collective security vehicle by means of military capabilities formation.

And finally, the C-17 initiative is the most effective solution from both expenditure and reliability respects. If the C-17 initiative was implemented, NATO would have its strategic airlift secured contrarily to the aircraft rent from the third parties which is not as reliable.

Preliminary costs of the initiative implementation

One strategic craft price amounts to about 500m litas, exploitation and instruction costs not included. Even if Lithuania could afford a craft of this kind on its own, buying it would be highly ineffective as it far exceeds our needs.

If the C-17 initiative is implemented, Lithuania plans to purchase 45 hours of flight. That constitutes a yearly fee of approximately 3m litas (approximately 69 thousand litas for one hour of flying).

The project span is 30 years.

-ends-

NATO and Russia Test Missile Defence Concepts

(Source: NATO; dated Oct. 12, 2006)

Under the aegis of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC), the Theatre Missile Defence Ad Hoc Working Group (TMD AHWG) will conduct the third joint NATO-Russia TMD Command Post Exercise (CPX) from 16-25 October 2006 at the Russian Simulation Facility located in the Research and Development Center of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.

The purpose of this third CPX is to validate the Experimental Concept and associated Experimental Concept of Operations (CONOPS) developed by the joint NATO-Russia TMD Ad Hoc Working Group. Over sixty participants from eleven NATO nations and eighty participants from the Russian Federation are going to take part in CPX3. Additional support and participation will be provided by the NATO Military Authorities (NMAs), the International Staff (IS), the tri-national Extended Air Defence Task Force (EADTF) and the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. (The three nations comprising the EADTF are Germany, the Netherlands and the United States.)

This is the third in a series of joint NATO-Russia TMD exercises. The initial CPX was conducted at the Joint National Integration Center (JNIC) in the United States in 2004. Last year The Netherlands hosted Cooperative Optic Windmill (CPX2) at De Peel Airbase. This third CPX will build on the work conducted previously and be a prelude for a first Field Training Exercise, provisionally scheduled for autumn 2007.

The CPX is a computer-assisted, real time event that focuses on command and control of missile defence forces deployed in a specific theatre of operations. Together with a joint Interoperability Study being conducted under the lead of the NATO C3 Agency (NC3A) and the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, the CPX is expected to provide the basis for future interoperability enhancements.

This is an important step in the practical cooperation between NATO and the Russian Federation as foreseen in the Rome Declaration of 2002.

-ends-

Finland Must Choose Either NATO or Budget Boost -Defence Minister

(Source: STT Finnish government news; issued Nov. 2, 2006)

Seppo Kääriäinen (centre), Finland's defence minister, said Wednesday that Finland should either significantly increase its defence spending or join Nato.

Speaking at a defence course in Helsinki, Mr Kääriäinen said rising prices of weapons and equipment threatened to shrivel the Finnish Defence Forces.

"In the name of the credibility of the system and in accordance with the demands of our continuously changing security environment, we are acquiring materiel that is becoming more expensive at an amazing rate. According to some estimates prices will double in only seven years," Mr Kääriäinen warned.

According to the minister, the current defence system still works today, but will hardly do so at the end of the next decade.

"Given our current resources and this price development we will not have the preconditions to maintain the defence forces of 2006 in the future. Continuing in the same way with everything would lead to the shrivelling of our defence forces, and finally into a dead end."

Mr Kääriäinen also asserted that increased domestic spending would not be sufficient in itself but should be supplemented with a boost in efficiency and international cooperation, including in acquisitions.

The minister said membership in Nato was an alternative to increased defence spending, but emphasised that achieving savings could not be the reason for seeking membership as even within the alliance Finland would have to boost its defence budget.

Mr Kääriäinen's speech was reported by the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE). The defence ministry originally did not intend to make the speech public as it was held at a closed event.

-ends-

Ankara Suspends Military Ties with Paris

(Source: Radio Netherlands; issued Nov. 15, 2006)

Turkey has frozen all military ties with France in response to French parliamentary support for a bill making it illegal to deny that the Turkish massacre of Armenians at the end of the Ottoman Empire constituted genocide.

General Ilker Basbug, second-in-command of Turkey's powerful military hierarchy, said that all high-level contacts with the French military had been suspended. Paris has not yet responded to Ankara's move. Last month, the French National Assembly voted in favour of a bill making it a crime to deny the Armenian genocide. The bill still has to be approved by the Senate and the President.

Between 1915 and 1917, the dying days of the Ottoman Empire, up to 1.5 million Armenians were systematically murdered by the Young Turks, the revolutionary movement which seized power in 1913.

Turkey has dismissed the claims of genocide. According to Ankara, around 300,000 Armenians died, mainly from hunger and exhaustion. (ends)

France Shrugs Off Turkey's Freeze of Military Ties

(Source: Voice of America news; issued Nov. 16, 2006)

PARIS --- France offered a low-key reaction to Turkey's announcement it is suspending military ties over a recent Armenian genocide vote in the French parliament.

At the heart of the dispute is the recent approval by French deputies of legislation making it a crime to deny an Armenian genocide took place in Turkey a century ago. The bill needs to be passed by the French Senate and approved by French President Jacques Chirac before becoming law.

But the matter has sparked anger from Turkey, which denies an Armenian genocide took place.

Wednesday, a Turkish general announced Ankara had suspended military ties with France. But a French foreign ministry spokesman says France has received no official word from Turkey.

French defense officials say they doubt Turkey's move will fundamentally hurt diplomatic relations.

But analyst Jean-Francois Daguzin, of the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris, believes the impact may be more severe than has been suggested.

Daguzin says Turkey's reaction to the French legislation is among the strongest to date. He says Ankara traditionally makes countries who fall out of favor pay a steep political price and the suspended ties could affect military cooperation.

Turkish and French troops are stationed and work together in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Kosovo, Bosnia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition, French and European companies supply Ankara with a significant amount of military equipment.

Recently Turkey's relations with the European Union have been rocky. Ankara wants EU membership, but it has yet to fulfill a number of European conditions for accession talks, including opening trade with EU member Cyprus.

-ends-

First Upgraded AWACS Delivered to NATO


EADS Defence & Security Systems Division Completes Major Upgrade for NATO AWACS Aircraft

(Source: EADS Military Air Systems; issued Nov. 21, 2006)

MUNICH --- NATO today received its first upgraded Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft under a $1.32 billion Mid-Term Modernization production and retrofit programme. This major mission system upgrade for the Alliance's "eye in the sky" is almost as international as the NATO customer and operator. The project is led by Boeing as prime contractor.

The aircraft was handed over on schedule to NATO officials at the Manching facility of EADS Military Air Systems in Germany. Within this Trans-Atlantic programme EADS is an industry partner to Boeing and will perform the upgrade of the remaining fleet of 16 E-3A AWACS aircraft, based in Geilenkirchen, Germany, by the end of 2008 in Manching. Additionally, Boeing is modifying two NATO AWACS mission simulators into the Mid-Term configuration.

Boeing together with EADS and other subcontractors jointly developed and integrated the major mission system-related enhancements to the AWACS computers, displays, communication, navigation and target correlation and identification. "Achieving this milestone represents the culmination of a true international effort by many talented people from both sides of the Atlantic. This has been, and will continue to be, a prime example of how great companies and their customer can work together on a global scale to field a world-class product. In this case, NATO AWACS is now the premier airborne early warning aircraft available” said a senior official at the delivery ceremony.

The enhancements provide a superior air picture by integrating data from various sensors on board the AWACS, as well as from other sources, and an increased capacity in the number of targets it can manage. This highly capable mission system provides NATO AWACS aircraft with the ability to receive mission orders from remote locations and updates via satellite data links and electronically integrate them via the mission computing system.

The upgraded system offers increased interoperability with assets including other AWACS platforms, as well as with fighter aircraft, ground stations, ships and satellites. The enhancements include new situation display consoles with flat-panel displays, offering a "Windows"-like feel. A mission computing system with an open architecture will allow cost-effective future upgrades to the hardware and software.

Thanks to Multi-Sensor Integration the reliability and accuracy of target tracks and identification is significantly improved and operator workload dramatically reduced. Digital communications systems will improve crew access and make use of radio links including improved over-the horizon communication via satellite links. Broad-spectrum VHF radios will substantially support increased operations with other nations’ air and ground forces. The improved IFF transponder (identification friend or foe) is compatible with emerging international air traffic control systems requirements. Last, but not least, is the upgraded aircraft navigation which takes advantage of the Global Positioning System part of the overall modernization programme.

NATO started the definition phase of the NATO E-3A Mid-Term Programme in 1994 after the NAPMO Board of Directors acting on behalf of the then twelve participating Nations endorsed the requirements. From the beginning it was very clear that this programme would have to be performed in a truly international partnership. In order to fulfil this requirement the NATO Airborne Early Warning Programme Management Agency (NAPMA) surveyed North American and European industries to assess what companies could contribute to the planned Mid-Term Modernization Programme. Boeing, selected as the prime contractor, then conducted detailed assessments by visiting potential subcontractors and eventually selected EADS and 14 other companies to support the programme.

-----------------

Boeing Delivers Major Upgrade for NATO AWACS Aircraft

(Source: Boeing Co.; issued Nov. 21, 2006)

MUNICH --- Boeing today announced the completion of a major mission system production upgrade for the first NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft under the $1.32 billion Mid-Term Modernisation Programme.

Boeing delivered the aircraft to NATO during a ceremony at the European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) facility in Manching, Germany. EADS, as an industry partner and subcontractor to Boeing, completed the modification on schedule.

The entire fleet of 17 AWACS aircraft, based in Geilenkirchen, Germany, is on track to be upgraded in 2008. Boeing also is modifying two NATO AWACS mission simulators into the Mid-Term configuration.

"Achieving this milestone represents the culmination of a true international effort by many talented people from across North America and Europe, including NATO, the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Programme Management Agency, Force Command, the U.S Air Force and more than 15 key subcontractors from 12 nations," said Lee Strom, Boeing NATO AWACS Mid-Term Programme production and retrofit program manager.

"This has been, and will continue to be, a prime example of how great companies and their customers can work together on a global scale to field a world-class product," he continued. "NATO AWACS is now the premier airborne surveillance aircraft."

The enhancements provide a superior view of the battlespace by integrating data from various AWACS sensors, as well as from other sources, and an increased capacity in the number of targets it can manage.

This highly capable mission system provides NATO AWACS aircraft with the ability to receive mission orders from remote locations and updates via satellite data links and electronically integrate them via the mission computing system.

The system offers increased interoperability with other AWACS platforms as well as with fighter aircraft, ground stations, ships and satellites.

The enhancements include:

- New situation display consoles with flat-panel displays offering a Windows-like environment;
- A mission computing system with an open architecture allowing cost-effective future upgrades to the hardware and software;
- Multi-sensor integration that improves the reliability and accuracy of target tracks and identification and eases operator workload;
- Digital communications systems to improve crew access and use of radio links including improved over-the-horizon communication via satellite links;
- Broad-spectrum VHF radios that will support increased operations with Eastern European nations' air and ground forces. An improved identification friend or foe system compatible with emerging international air traffic control systems requirements; and
- Upgraded aircraft navigation that takes advantage of the new Global Positioning System.



NATO has received the first upgraded E-3A AWACS aircraft; the other 16 (above) will follow by the end of 2008 (NATO photo)

NATO Leaders to Discuss Global Missions at Riga Summit

(Source: US State Department; issued Nov. 21, 2006)

WASHINGTON -- The United States has made great efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations with Europe and is ready to work alongside European governments to outline a global agenda at the upcoming NATO Summit, a top U.S. diplomat says.

“We think our partnership with Europe now is fully restored and strengthened,” R. Nicholas Burns, under secretary of state for political affairs, told reporters in Washington November 21. The summit will be held November 28-29 in Riga, Latvia.

Burns acknowledged “difficult” disagreements with some European governments over U.S. policy toward Iraq in 2002 and 2003. But in February 2005, a month into his second term, President Bush visited the European Union and NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, where he placed renewed emphasis on trans-Atlantic ties.

“[T]he United States has worked very, very hard to rebuild those bridges across the Atlantic and to sustain our ties with Europe, and we think we’ve been successful,” Burns said. He added that the scope of issues in trans-Atlantic relations has changed. “Our agenda with Europe is now a global agenda” that focuses on working as partners on long-standing problems in the Middle East, in South and East Asia, in Africa and in Latin America, Burns said.

Bush is among the 26 NATO heads of state scheduled to discuss cooperation on a broad range of regional and world issues. He will be accompanied by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Briefing reporters at the State Department, Burns outlined major topics for the Riga Summit. These include:

-- Afghanistan, which Burns described as “the Number 1 issue” for NATO. About 32,000 NATO troops are deployed to Afghanistan, operating 25 provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs), which are combined military and civilian units that provide security and also bring development assistance. ”Contrary to some of the conventional wisdom,” Burns said, NATO appears to be gaining the military advantage against anti-government fighters in the southern provinces of Kandahar, Helmand and Oruzgan. Large numbers of NATO troops deployed into the southern provinces in July and August and “collided” with Taliban and others opposed to the elected government in Kabul, Burns said. Until then, these anti-government fighters had operated largely unopposed. “We stand by the strategy and tactics because they are proving to be successful,” Burns said. When NATO leaders review military operations at the summit, he said, the most pressing concern will be ensuring that nations maintain their willingness to maintain troop strength.

-- Narcotics in Afghanistan. Burns said leaders at the summit will discuss how international civil institutions such as the United Nations and European Union can address counternarcotics in Afghanistan, particularly in Helmand and Kandahar provinces, where drug money helps finance anti-government fighters.

-- Global partnerships. President Bush plans to propose a global partnership program with five nations -- Australia, Finland, Japan, South Korea and Sweden, Burns said. The three Asian nations do not seek formal NATO membership, Burns added, and the two European nations have a tradition of political neutrality. But all five have worked in the Balkans, in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

-- Membership issues. No formal membership invitations are expected to be offered. However, Bush has said he supports a membership invitation for Croatia in the 2008 summit. Albania and Macedonia also are being viewed as possible candidates for membership, Burns said. In addition, Ukraine and Georgia, while not actively seeking membership, have been involved in membership discussions and seek partnership (an affiliated status below that of full membership) with NATO.

-- Spending and airlift. The United States will continue urging allies to spend more on military capabilities. Only seven of the 26 NATO members spend more than 3 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, Burns said. The United States spends 3.7 percent of its GDP on defense, but the majority of allies spend less than 2 percent of GDP on national defense.

In particular, NATO forces lack strategic airlift, air-to-air refueling capability and combat service support units, all of which are essential to long-range deployments. For several months, NATO allies have been discussing the possibility of pooling their funds to purchase three or four U.S.-built C-17 cargo jets, which could be used for NATO and national missions.

-- Kosovo and flexible deployments. The Kosovo province of Serbia has been administered by the United Nations since 1999. U.N.-sponsored talks have been under way for nearly a year to decide whether Kosovo will become independent or remain a province of Serbia with a high level of autonomy. A decision is expected as early as January 2007, and Burns said NATO leaders at Riga will discuss how the 15,000 NATO troops in Kosovo will support the international decision.

In addition, NATO commanders have been granted flexibility to maneuver NATO forces as needed within Kosovo. Burns said NATO is seeking similar flexibility to maneuver forces in Afghanistan, where many contributing governments have placed geographic or mission “caveats” that make it difficult to reposition troops to respond to emergency.

-ends-

Schlappy, even though we generally have opposing opinions I realy appreciate your contributions here. Just wanted to let you know that people actually read the articles you post!

Thanks.

NATO Sets Priorities For New Capabilities For Next 15 Years

(Source: NATO; issued Nov. 29, 2006)

Meeting in Riga, NATO Heads of State and Government endorsed the Comprehensive Political Guidance, a major policy document that sets out the priorities for all Alliance capability issues, planning disciplines and intelligence for the next 10 to 15 years.

The Guidance analyses the probable future security environment, acknowledging the possibility of unpredictable events.

It recognizes that for the foreseeable future, the principal threats to the Alliance are terrorism and proliferation, as well as failing states, regional crises, misuse of new technologies and disruption of the flow of vital resources.

Expeditionary forces – a priority

Against that analysis, it sets out the kinds of operations the Alliance must be able to perform and the kinds of capabilities the Alliance will need.

The Guidance underlines the requirement for NATO’s forces to remain balanced, flexible and agile, able to conduct the full range of its missions, from high to low intensity, but emphasizes the likelihood that NATO will need to carry out a greater number and range of smaller operations.

Among the different requirements outlined, the document defines NATO's top priorities, starting with joint expeditionary forces and the capability to deploy and sustain them.

The Guidance supports the Alliance’s 1999 Strategic Concept; it does not replace it.


Click here for the Guidance document, on the NATO website (HTML format)


-ends-

NATO Declares Response Force Fully Operational

(Source: NATO; dated Nov. 29, web-posted Nov. 30, 2006)

At the Summit meeting in Riga, 29 November, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer announced that NATO’s cutting-edge Response Force is at full operational capability.

The NATO Response Force is a highly ready and technologically advanced force made up of land, air, sea and special forces components that the Alliance can deploy quickly wherever needed.

It is capable of performing missions worldwide across the whole spectrum of operations.

These include evacuations, disaster management, counterterrorism, and acting as ‘an initial entry force’ for larger, follow-on forces.

It can number up to 25,000 troops and start to deploy after five days’ notice and sustain itself for operations lasting 30 days or longer if resupplied.

“We are there,” NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told reporters, “A major accomplishment because it gives the Euro-Atlantic community unprecedented capability.”

All capabilities in place

Following commitments by NATO member countries, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe declared on 29 November that all capabilities necessary for the Force to be declared fully operational are now in place.

This includes a brigade-size land component with forced-entry capability; a naval task force including a carrier battle group, an amphibious task group and a surface action group; and an air component capable of 200 combat sorties a day.

A rotational force, the NRF is put together from force elements which Allies volunteer well in advance to meet particular requirements (a framework for Partner involvement in the NRF is being developed).

After preparation at a national level, a six-month NATO training programme starts after which the force is certified to the highest standards. It is then put on “stand-by” for six months. An NRF rotation therefore consists of both the training period and the stand-by period.

Besides being an operational tool, the NRF is also a catalyst for further transformation and can be used as a vehicle for evaluating new concepts and capability improvements.

In this way, the NRF represents both a process for and a product of NATO military transformation.

“Reaching full operational capability is a significant achievement, sustaining it on the long-term requires focus and commitment,” said General Ray Henault, Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee.

Agreement on common funding

The Secretary General also announced that Heads of State and Government had agreed to share the costs of airlift for short notice deployments of the Response Force.

Mr. De Hoop Scheffer said he hoped this would be an incentive for countries to commit to future rotations of the Force.


Click here for additional information on the NRF, on the NATO website.


-ends-

I find it funny in a bad way that NATO held a conference in BERLIN. GERMANY, with maybe the most powerful armed forces in EUROPE, will not commit troops to battle. those GERMAN troops in A-STAN are not allowed to engage in combat ops. so, MERKEL, when ya gonna join the party? BRITAIN, CANADA, DUTCH and U.S. forces are doing the heavy lifting. FRANCE finally looks like they are ready to commit. send the FFL, not the regular FRENCH army. the FFL got balls, and they can fight like hell. GERMANY, its time for you to start footing the bill. men, matewriel, money. trash that silly outdated law and fight! you better stop letting those moslems in too. FRANCE, is full of moslems. EURABIA...if you don't fight, and keep letting these moslems in, you will lose. in war, and identity. GERMANY NATO NEEDS 30,000 NOT 3,600! come on guys you see it too...its scary. and yes, we will be at war with CHINA in the next decade. how did that sub get that close? a DIESEL no less...next time, SINK THAT MOTHER F@#KER.

quote:

and yes, we will be at war with CHINA in the next decade. how did that sub get that close? a DIESEL no less...next time, SINK THAT MOTHER F@#KER.

Here's a more appropriate forum for discussion on that topic.

Estonia Buys Air Defence System

(Source: Estonian Ministry of Defence; dated Dec. 1, web-posted Dec. 6, 2006)

The Government of Estonia has authorised the Ministry of Defence to commence negotiations to secure a procurement contract for the acquisition of an air defence system. The conclusions of the MOD Procurement Committee report signalled out the joint tender of MBDA France and SAAB Microwave Systems as the most suitable offer.

The Minister of Defence, Mr. Ligi, said, “it is the first time in the history of Estonia that we have procured a modern air defence system – a mobile radar, communications, and missile system. Taking into consideration our circumstances, this tool offers credible attrition against any belligerents and veritable defence for the Infantry Brigade, which is currently under development.”

The aim of the procurement is to guarantee a modern and mobile air defence system for Estonia, which will be interoperable with the NATO Integrated and Extended Air Defence System (NATINEADS), if necessary. The procured system will consist of weapons, communications, and command and control systems, as well as radars.

The primary function of this air defence system for the defence of the 1st Infantry Brigade will be to counter assault helicopter and aircraft attacks. This system will be capable of defending infrastructure of vital importance: airfields, harbours, and government buildings.

The public procurement of a short-range ground based air defence was initiated by the Estonian Government on 18th August 2005.

MBDA Missile Systems products (Mistral) are currently used by Finland, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Cyprus, France, and Hungary.

-ends-

me

quote:

Originally posted by SSgt_English:
As someone with one eye to the past, I dont want a strong Europe, particularly Germany or France, call me old fashioned but give them an inch and they'll soon be off invading Africa or committing genocide somewhere.

And many of the other European powers cant be trusted to put up a good fight anyway. The bulk of Europeans would be better off directing their resources into some sort of disaster relief reaction force to help out with international emergencies and the like.

Give it ten years and a potential war with China, and I'll soon change my point of view.

SSgt English

SGT.ENGLISH, i think a war with CHINA is going to become reality sooner, or later. so, ur opinion will change. wat the U.S., U.K., CANADA and our friends down under need, and i include N.Z., is a strong EUROPE, that will spend the money it needs to bolster its capabilities. AIRLIFT. so they can get men, armor, attack helos, and watever else is needed to deploy quickly, and with lethality. INTESTINAL FORTITUDE--thats right-BALLS. its real nice and im so grateful to the GERMANS that they have 3,500 troops in A-STAN. well, they are not allowed to conduct offensive ops. SEE, THIS IS WAT MAKES NATO A PAPER TIGER. the GERMANS have a 1st class military. when they gonna help thier NATO allies and use it? i find it comical that a GERMAN sits in one of the most important seats within NATO. wat a JOKE!! NOW, the french are thinking about joining the fight, stop thinking, AND DO IT! most likely it will be the FFL. these guys are well trained, and i would fight alongside them anytime. EUROPE MUST SPEND FOR DEFENSE. or NATO will be all bark and no bite. GERMANY, the past is gone. OUR WAY OF LIFE IS AT STAKE. 3,600? HAH! WE NEED 30,000. ARMOR. ATTACK HELOS. WARPLANES. even if they sent a division, between 12 and 15k, if the french sent a FFL regiment...yes SGT. WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS.....