A View from NATO HQ

Guy B. RobertsDeputy Assistant Secretary General

for WMD PolicyInternational Staff, NATO HQ

April 2006

NATO’s Nuclear Policy

Overview

- Alliance Strategy -- Nuclear Elements- Nuclear Arms Control- U.S. Nuclear Policy Changes -- Impact- Nuclear Planning Group -- Direction- High Level Group -- Policy development- NATO - Russia- NPG Staff Group -- Management- Public Information

Principles of NATO Strategy

- Common commitment, mutual co-operation, indivisibility of security and indispensable transatlantic link

- Strategy of war prevention

- Alliance - no country’s adversary

- Political will and military means for deterrence and defence- Significant role for arms control, disarmament and

non proliferation

- Fundamentally political purpose of the Allies’ nuclear forces:

Preserve peace and prevent coercion and any kind of war

Nuclear Elements of NATO Strategy (1)

Key elements:

- NATO’s conventional forces alone cannot credibly deter

- Maintain - for the foreseeable future - mix of nuclear and conventional forces, at minimum sufficient level

- NW ensure uncertainty in mind of any aggressor

- They deter the use of NBC weapons

- NW make unique contribution in rendering the risks of aggression incalculable and unacceptable

- NW remain essential to preserve peace

Key elements:- Widespread participation by European Allies- Nuclear forces based in Europe- Strategic and sub-strategic nuclear forces (SSNF)

• Sub-strategic: DCA and Sub-Strategic Trident- Maintain transatlantic link- Political control under all circumstances- No operational plans in peacetime (SSNF)

• Adaptive nuclear planning- Circumstances for contemplation of nuclear use:

“extremely remote”

Nuclear Elements of NATO Strategy (2)

Nuclear Arms Control

“The Alliance’s policy of support for arms control,disarmament, and non-proliferation will continue to play a major role in the achievement of the Alliance’s security objectives.”

Strategic Concept, Para 40

NPT Article VI:“Each of the Parties to the Treaty undertakes to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.”

Alliance Strategic Concept:Alliance nuclear forces “will be maintained at the minimum level sufficient to preserve peace and stability”.

NATO and the NPT

“I am committed to achieving a credible deterrent with the lowest-possible number of nuclear weapons consistent with our national security needs, including our obligations to our allies.”

President George W. BushNational Defense University May 2001

U.S. Nuclear Policy

French and U.K. Policies

• France (Chirac speech, Jan 06)– “… nuclear deterrence remains the fundamental

guarantee of our security.”– “… leaders of States who would ... consider using …

weapons of mass destruction, must understand that they would lay themselves open to a firm and adapted response on our part.”

• U.K. (Sec State Hoon to Parliament, Mar 02)– States of concern with WMD “can be absolutely

confident that in the right conditions we would be willing to use our nuclear weapons”

Participation after Enlargement

• Political Principles require maximum Allied participation in nuclear employment options

• Models for Allies’ participation:– Not obstructing preparations / planning– Actively advocating planning / operations– Providing permission for basing, overflight, logistic

support or mission planning– Active participation in operations

Implications for Strategy

• Role for NWs against WMD threats

• NW role against terrorism

• Relationship between deterrence and MD

• Development of Russia relationship

• Impact of enlargement

Summary

• NWs continue to play essential deterrent role in NATO’s security

• Risks and threats are changing

• Improving relationship with Russia

• Policies and plans must be adapted to new realities

- Alliance Strategy -- Nuclear Elements- Nuclear Arms Control- U.S. Nuclear Policy Changes -- Impact- Nuclear Planning Group -- Direction- High Level Group -- Policy development- NATO - Russia- NPG Staff Group -- Management- Public Information

Discussion/Questions?