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Briefing: Operational capabilities 1. Improving capabilities to meet new threats Contents 1. Improving capabilities to meet new threats 2. Defence against terrorism 3. Multinational CBRN defence battalion 4. Missile defence 5. Defence Capabilities Initiative 6. Implementing the Prague capabilities package 7. From Prague to Istanbul 8. Alliance Ground Surveillance 9. Strategic lift 10. NATO Response Force 11. New NATO command structure 12. Cooperation with Partners Editorial Note   Important publisher and editorial information about this document Other Formats English PDF (~1,2Mb) Printable version with colour illustrations Order a hardcopy version using the online order form. NATO is putting into place a series of measures to improve the military capabilities of its member countries. These are aimed at ensuring that the Alliance can fulfil its present and future operational commitments and fight new threats such as terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. This is particularly important as NATO takes on new missions in faraway areas such as Afghanistan. These new missions require more forces that reach farther, faster, can stay in the field longer but can still undertake the most demanding operations if need be. Furthermore, these forces must be properly equipped and protected for the more dangerous missions they undertake. “NATO adopted a three-pronged approach to improving its defence capabilities: launching of the Prague Capabilities Commitment, creation of the NATO Response Force and streamlining of the military command structure” Achieving these capabilities is the objective of the Prague capabilities package. This includes the Prague Capabilities Commitment (PCC) to improve capabilities in such areas as strategic lift and air-to-ground surveillance. It also includes the Alliance’s new military command structure and the creation of the NATO Response Force (NRF). Terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery are major threats to NATO member states. The Alliance has taken additional measures to counter terrorism since it first adopted its Military Concept for Defence against Terrorism at the Prague Summit. NATO is also considering the possibility of missile defence of its territory, forces and population centres.

© NATO - OTAN 2006 -	NATO Public Diplomacy Division 1110 Brussels, Belgium - E-mail: natodoc@hq.nato.int