NATO's Forward 'Layer Cake' Defense-An Outdated Concept

Abstract

This paper looks at NATO's current defensive concept of a forward, layer cake deployment to see if it is adequate for NATO's future. It focuses on NATO's Central Front. Using a post-CFE, five Corps NATO force, it analyzes the layer cake's adaptability to the SACEUR, General Galvin's, future planning principles and to the Airland Battle tenets of agility, initiative, depth and synchronization. The layer cake concept is found to be lacking in mobility and crisis response and does not incorporate the extended warning time or posses a visual and timely deescalation capability. It inhibits agility and initiative at a time when the future force demands them. NATO's current defensive concept of a forward layer cake defense is inadequate. A recommendation is made of a flexible readiness concept that incorporates General Galvin's principles and maximizes the airland battle tenets.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 11, 1991
Accession Number
ADA236553

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  • Peter E. Jurusik

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  • Naval War College

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