29 Oct. 2002

Capabilities dominate meeting of armaments directors Measures aimed at improving the Alliance’s operational capabilities took centre stage at the second biannual Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) in Brussels on 29 and 30 October. The CNAD, which brings together armaments directors from NATO member countries, discussed preparations for the upcoming Prague Summit meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government, 21 and 22 November. At the Summit, a new initiative aimed at enhancing NATO’s ability to meet new security threats and challenges is expected to be launched. It will aim to improve the Alliance’s operational capabilities in key areas such as: defence against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks; ensuring command, communication and information superiority; improving interoperability of deployed forces and key aspects of combat effectiveness; and ensuring rapid deployment and sustainment of forces. The CNAD is at the forefront of efforts to develop and field most of these new capabilities. Other topics discussed included defence against terrorism, air defence, theatre missile defence, airborne ground surveillance systems and the implementation of the NATO armaments review. The meeting was addressed by NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson. The CNAD is the senior NATO committee responsible for armaments cooperation, materiel standardisation and defence procurement matters. It is at the head of an extensive sub-structure of specialist committees and reports directly to the North Atlantic Council - NATO's senior decision making body. More information: NATO Prague Summit online NATO Handbook - Conference of National Armaments Directors Armaments (CNAD)