Discussion on co-operative programme to achieve NATO Airborne Early Warning capability - Agreement, subject to approval by competent authorities, to establish an AWACS system on cost-sharing basis - UK reserves position on best way to make its contribution.

Review of Council discussions by Heads of State and Government - Setting up of long-term defence programme to enable NATO forces to meet changing defence needs of the 1980s - Ministerial guidance to NATO military authorities for 1979-1984 - Eurogroup - Co-operation for effective use of available resources and defence procurement - Standardization and interoperability - AWACS - Allied assistance for Portugal's armed forces - MBFR - SALT.

Annex: Ministerial Guidance 1977

NATO-Warsaw Pact nuclear force balance - Soviet nuclear missile improvements - New intermediate range mobile system (SS20) - Current and potential improvements to NATO nuclear weaponry - Implications for Western Security of cruise missiles - Need to improve both NATO's theatre nuclear forces and also conventional forces - New technology - Machinery for consultation and control of possible use of nuclear weapons.

Balance of East-West nuclear forces - Concern over continued Soviet deployments of heavy ICBMs, mobile IRBMs and advanced sea-launched missiles all with multiple warheads - Nuclear aspects of NATO long-term defence programme - Modernization of theatre nuclear weapons and reduced blast / enhanced radiation weapons - Maritime nuclear defence.

Continuing momentum of Warsaw Pact military programmes - Progress of programmes in defence planning fields to meet both medium and longer-term requirements - Short term force improvements - New force goals up to 1984 - Requirement for annual increases in defence expenditures - Optimum use of resources through co-operative efforts - Assistance for modernization of armed forces of Portugal and Turkey - MBFR - Eurogroup force improvements - CNAD armaments planning review - Progress towards NATO AEW force.