Rationalizing NATO's Defense Posture
Abstract
Assessment is made regarding the possibilities for large-scale rationalization of NATO's defense posture as the only viable answer to the defense resource bind created by the rising cost of modern forces in a period of severely constrained defense budgets and manpower. Strict priorities and a NATO-monitored matrix approach are recommended and numerous specific options, especially in the following key areas are proposed: (1) initial ground/air defense against a WP blitzkrieg must get top priority; (2) methods to cut marginal national forces and overhead to free resources for trade-off; (3) methods to streamline NATO ground, air, and naval forces to reduce manpower costs and free funds for greater readiness and modern equipment; (4) methods to place new emphasis on well-trained and quickly mobilizable reserve forces; (5) methods to get more flexible use of air power; (6) methods to get more interoperability and compatibility of forces, and programs to consolidate training, procurement, and maintenance undertaken; (7) methods to supersede national logistic responsibility by common logistic programs; and (8) the overhauling of NATO's machinery; and methods to integrate national civil and military communication systems into a NATO communication network. One hundred and forty-five actions that would contribute to rationalization are keyed to the pages on which these recommendations are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADC001762
Entities
People
- C. F. Bell
- E. W. Boyd
- H. J. Mcchrystal
- R. L. Schneider
- R. W. Komer
Organizations
- RAND Corporation