ALLIED COMMAND TRANSFORMATION

(ACT)

SHAPE Officer’s Association

9 October 2010

Briefer: CAPT John Nankervis USA (N)

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

 Supreme Allied Commander
Transformation (SACT)

General Stéphane Abrial FRA (F)

General Abrial serves as NATO’s Supreme

Allied Commander Transformation.

As SACT, General Abrial leads the

transformation of NATO’s military structure,
forces, capabilities and doctrines to improve
interoperability and military effectiveness of
the Alliance and its partner nations

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

 ACT COMPONENTS / LINKAGES
Based on Function – not Geography

Joint Warfare Centre

(JWC)

Joint Force Training Centre

(JFTC)

SACT Representative in Europe

(STRE)
Allied Command Operations
(ACO)
Staff Element Europe
(SEE)
Joint Analysis and
Lessons Learned Centre
(JALLC)
NATO Undersea Research Centre
(NURC)
Allied Command Transformation
(ACT)
US Joint Forces
Command
(USJFCOM) NATO Maritime Interdiction
Operations Training Centre
(NMIOTC)

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

NATO ORGANISATION – ACT

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

 POLITICAL DIRECTION, MILITARY GUIDANCE
Strategic Direction:
 Comprehensive Political Guidance
 Ministerial Guidance
 NATO Military Authorities Strategic Priorities and
Objectives
 NATO Summit Declarations

Strategic Goals:
 Provide Appropriate Support to Operations
 Lead NATO Military Transformation
 Improve Relationships, Interaction and
Practical Co-operation with Partners, Nations
and International Organisations

Objectives
Priorities
NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public) Outputs
KEY FUNCTIONS
 Alliance Force Transformation
Driving the Process
Leading National Efforts

 Capability Development
Leverage of Best Practice
Shaping Interoperability
Guiding New Development

 Support to NATO Missions and Operations

Preparation of Deploying Staffs
Specialised, Tailored Training for Force
Elements

 Collation and Adaption of Lessons Learned

Capturing Specific Lessons
Transition from Cause to Solution

 Strategic Engagement
Comprehensive Approach
EU / JFCOM Relationship
Multiple Futures Project
Partnerships
NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)
 TRANSFORMATIONAL HUB

Allied Command Alliance

Operations Nations

U.S. Joint Forces

Command Industry

NATO Centers of
Research & Excellence
Technology
NATO/PfP
Education and Training
Network
 NATO TRANSFORMATION ?

‘Old NATO’

Mission Driven by:

Article 5
Collective Defence
Deterrence
MAD etc

Transformation through:
Policy & Doctrine Alignment
Interoperability Development
Addressing Capability Shortfalls Nations
Nations
Training and Preparation etc

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

 ACT OUTPUTS

DCOS JFT
JALLC
JWC
NURC
JFTC
SEE Capability Strategic Training
Development Plans, Policy

Trial and test of new

Capabilities Establishment of
Standards and Best
Learning & incorporation Strategic Engagement Practice
of Lessons from
Operations & Exercises Interoperability of Assets Training of niche
capability
Modeling & Simulation Establishment of Policy
Pre-Deployment Tng
Defence Planning
NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)
 ACT’S SUPPORT TO
OPERATIONS

Support
Current
Operations
• Doctrine, Organization, Training, Standards
• Input to Crisis Response Urgent Requirements (CUR)

• Accelerate Implementation of Improved Capabilities

• Command and Control (C2) Improvements
• Counter IED
• Friendly Force Tracker
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Intelligence Fusion and Distribution
• Maritime Situational Awareness
NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)
 ACT’S SUPPORT TO
OPERATIONS

Support NATO
Current Response
Operations Force
• Key Characteristics to Promote Transformation:
• All Nations
• Rotation
• Rapidly incorporate new capabilities
and implement them into Nations
• Enhances Interoperability and Promotes
trained and Ready Forces

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

 ACT’S SUPPORT TO
OPERATIONS

Support NATO Defence Planning &

Current Response Capability Development
Operations Force Process

• Make Defence Planning Process More

Comprehensive & Harmonize Planning
Disciplines
• Rationalize Alliance Capability
Development Processes
• Balance Near & Long Term Efforts and
Processes
• Accelerate Implementation of Standards
• Partnering with Industry
NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)
 CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT

Shape
Interoperability
Standards

Leverage
Best
Practices

Short Term Guide

Operational New
Planning Development
(2 Years) Mid Term Defence
Planning
(10 Years) Long Term
Capability
Input to ACO-led Crisis Response Requirements
Operation Urgent Requirement (25-30 Years)
development process
NATO
NATO
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
(Releasable
(Releasable
to the
to the
Public)
Public)
 SINGLE PRIORITISED Bi-SC PRIORITY
SHORTFALL AREA “TOP-50” LIST
Short Term Mid Term Long Term
Future Security Environment
Multiple Futures
Defence Long Term Requirements Study
Requirements
Lessons Learned Review
Crisis Response
Operations

Potential Opportunities to improve

Alliance mission effectiveness and
interoperability

“Where we can make the most difference”

 MULTIPLE FUTURES PROJECT
Background
The Multiple Futures Project (MFP) focussed Senior Leader discussion on the
fundamental question: What are the future challenges that pose threats to the
interests, values and populations of the Alliance? This created the basis for
strategic dialogue within the Alliance about future challenges, their relative nature
and gravity, and the potential security implications for the Alliance to respond to
these challenges.

The intent with MFP was not to predict the future, rather to establish an intellectual
framework for a wider discussion on the key drivers of change and the different
futures the Alliance may face, out to 2030.

State Capacity
Competing ideologies and Worldviews
Integration
Climate Change
Asymmetry
Use of Technology
Friction
Demographics
Resource Allocation

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

 MULTIPLE FUTURES PROJECT
Insights
The evolving nature of risks and threats to vital interests will pose

1 new challenges for achieving strategic unity of the Alliance,

maintaining solidarity, and reaching a common understanding of
what constitutes an Article 5 attack.

Increased interaction with non-NATO nations and other international

2 actors to create opportunities for the Alliance to extend its role in

enhancing security and stability outside traditional areas of
engagement.

Determined adversaries will attack Alliance vulnerabilities in

3 unexpected ways, enabled by readily available technologies

requiring the Alliance to consider changes in the character of
military operations and warfare.

Increased interaction with other international actors will provide

4 NATO the opportunity to positively shape and influence ideas,

values and events in a globalised world.

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

 Countering Hybrid Threats
Action: Establish a BI-SC Integrated Project Team to provide
focal point within ACT/ACO to:
•Serve as follow on to Multiple Futures Project
• Develop common understanding and assessment of current
and predicted capability shortfalls and develop solutions.
• Conduct comprehensive review of documents related to Hybrid
Threats
• Develop a Capstone Concept for “Military Contributions to
Countering Hybrid Threats”

Program of Work:
Phase 1 (1 June 09) : Analyze and formulate problem
Complete document review
Phase II (31 Dec. 09) : Provide 1st . Draft Concept

Phase III (1 July 10): Identify Required Capabilities

Fully integrated in DRR process

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

 DEFENCE PLANNING REFORM
• More comprehensive & coherent across Defence and Ops Planning
– Changes consistent with latest guidance
– All planning disciplines & stakeholders on equal footing
– Military Judgement applied at higher level by Strategic Commands
– Increased Transparency, Traceability and Clarity
– More formalised management process
– Quality checking and cost-effectiveness given explicit consideration
• Appropriate account of views of nations regarding need to improve
– Adopt ‘tailored’ approach toward nations, as appropriate
• Enhanced analysis through improved methodology:
– Capability-Based approach
– More selective use of Planning Situations
• Adopt NATO-wide common and interoperable databases
– NATO Capability Database, CDSS, NDPASS, Operational Planning
• Better integration of Lessons Learned and CURs

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

 BI-DIRECTIONAL IMPACT OF CURS
ON SC CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT

ACO (CMRB) CUR Becomes a Project for Implementation

ACT CUR Process Begins

ACT CRO Branch

Inform
Inform DOTMLPF-I
DOTMLPF-I LCTR
Defence
Defence Requirement
Requirement review
review (( DRR
DRR )) LCTR

ACT Leverage of CUR Insight Long-term

Long-term Plans
Plans
Exercises
Exercises

Mid-term
Mid-term Plans
Plans Training
Training
Transformation
ACT Support of CUR Delivery,
Delivery, Implementation,
Implementation, Use
Use
Capability
Capability Packages
Packages Doctrine
Doctrine
Experiments
Experiments Priority
Priority
Concept
Concept Development
Development Shortfall
Shortfall
Work
Work Packages
Packages Areas
Areas

time

Enhanced synergy between ACO and ACT

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)
 ACT / USJFCOM RELATIONSHIP
 A complementary approach delivered
through the co-location and close liaison
between SACT and USJFCOM staffs.
 Providing NATO with exposure to US
Joint expertise at little additional cost.
 Ability to capitalise on USJFCOM force
training, integration and experimentation.
 Access to extensive peacekeeping and
CIMIC operational experience.
 Greater efficiency in training, planning
and execution of NATO operations.

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

 CONCLUDING REMARKS
• Clear Bi-SC leadership action moving ACT closer
and more relevant to NATO warfighter
• “Transformation” includes support to warfighter both
today and tomorrow
− Right capability for the right task
• “Routine” Bi-SC Engagement = Synchronized short
and long term NATO capability development across
DOTMLPF-I spectrum
− Improved training, capability awareness and
interoperability across NATO force structure
− Reduced potential for “paying twice” for the
“same” capability

Routine ACT-ACO Collaboration is Win-Win For Alliance

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)
 BACK UP

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

 VISION

ACT is NATO’s leading agent for change, driving,

facilitating and advocating continuous improvements
of Alliance capabilities to enhance the military
relevance and effectiveness of the Alliance.

NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)

 BEHIND THE VISION
 An output oriented Command, adding practical value to
the Alliance

 A transparent organisation, engaging NATO HQ,

Nations and SHAPE/ACO

 An innovative organisation able to confront existing and

emerging security threats

 A vehicle for Capability Development to meet the Future

Security Environment

 A organisation that listens and is adaptable and

responsive to the needs of the Alliance

 A military organisation that is capable of working with

the International Community and ready to do so
NATO
NATO
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
(Releasable
(Releasable
to the
to the
Public)
Public)
 CURRENT COE STATUS 2 October 2009

1. Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC / DEU)

2. Defence Against Terrorism (DAT / TUR)
3. Naval Mine Warfare (EGUERMIN / BEL)
4. Combined Joint Operations from the Sea (CJOS / USA) Activated
5. Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC / NLD)
6. Cold Weather Operations (CWO / NOR)
7. Joint Chemical Biological Radiation & Nuclear Defence COE (JCBRN / CZE)
8. Air Operations Analysis and Simulation Centre (CASPOA / FRA)
9. Command & Control COE (C2 / NLD)
10. Cooperative Cyber Defense COE (CCD / EST)
11. Operations in Confined and Shallow Waters COE (CSW / DEU)
12. Military Engineering COE (MILENG / DEU)
13. Medical COE (MED / HUN)
1. Explosive Ordnance Disposal COE (EOD / SVK)
2. Counter – Improvised Explosive Devices COE (C-IED / ESP)
MOU
3. Human Intelligence COE (HUMINT / ROU) negotiations
1. Mountain Warfare COE (MW / SVN) Concept
2. Modeling & Simulation (M&S / ITA) Development

Total: 18
 NATO / EU RELATIONSHIP
 A strategic partnership
 Both NATO and EU organisations
experienced but not joined up.
 Previous attempts to establish WGs
have stagnated…
 Op ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR / ISAF would
benefit significantly from EU / NATO
interagency cooperation.
 Potential for NATO (ACT) and EU to
strengthen relations in the field of
Capability Development and Lessons
learned
NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)
 ACT ACHIEVEMENTS
AGAINST SACT OBJECTIVES
• Future Threats
• Multiple Futures Study & Military Implications
• Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Concept and Equipment
• Countering Hybrid Threats
• Future Capabilities
• ACCS, MSO, TBMD
• Cyber Defence
• CMO/CFC tool
• MSO Paper
• Enhanced Education and Training
• Education Training Exercise Evaluation Study
• ISAF Training Support / JFCOM Mission Rehearsal
• NATO Training Co-operation Initiative
• Networked Training (“Snow Leopard”)
• Lessons Identified / Learned
• Developed and implemented measures to prevent Fratricide
• Improved training for ISAF and Provisional Reconstruction Teams
• Assistance to the ANA in developing their lessons learned processes
• NATO Response Force
• Continued utilisation as a tool for Transformation
• Improved Communications connectivity
• Transparency and (Re)organisation
• Exceeding Nations expectations – very positive feedback
• PE Review, Balanced Scorecard, MCDC, ethics code. NATO UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable to the Public)