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Search for equitable and verifiable arms control measures - deployment of Longer-Range INF (LRINF) missiles - growth of Warsaw Pact capabilities - strategy of flexible response and forward defence - problems of improving conventional forces - 1984 Annual

  1. The Defence Planning Committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation met in Ministerial Session in Brussels on 4 and 5 December 1984.
  2. NATO preserves the peace and security of its members through the maintenance of military forces sufficient for deterrence and defence and through the continuing attempt to develop a stable East-West relationship. The search for equitable and verifiable arms control measures remains an integral part of this security policy. We welcome the recent announcement stating that the United States and the Soviet Union have agreed to enter into new negotiations with the objective of reaching mutually acceptable agreements on the whole range of questions concerning nuclear and outer space arms. We call on the Soviet Union to take a forthcoming approach in these negotiations.
  3. In the absence of a concrete negotiated result obviating the need for such deployment, we emphasise NATO's determination to continue the deployment of Longer-Range INF (LRINF) missiles as scheduled. NATO is willing to reverse, halt or modify the LRINF deployments-including the removal and dismantling of missiles already deployed-upon achievement of a balanced, equitable and verifiable agreement calling for such action1.
  4. The steady growth of Warsaw Pact capabilities compared to NATO's continues to give us cause for concern. The strategy of flexible response and forward defence remains the most effective basis for achieving NATO's primary objective of deterring possible Warsaw Pact aggression. We are determined to do everything possible to enhance the flexibility and therefore the credibility of our strategy by maintaining an effective nuclear deterrent and through the strengthening of NATO's conventional capabilities.
  5. Improving our conventional forces constitutes a considerable challenge in today's economic climate. It requires a sustained commitment of resources and also a more effective use of those resources so as to achieve the best output from them, both in accordance with existing resource guidance.
  6. It was with this background in mind that we discussed the results of the 1984 Annual Defence Review and adopted the NATO Force Plan for 1985-1989.
  7. We recognise that the Alliance has made and continues to make significant improvements to its conventional forces, particularly in the area of equipment modernisation. We also emphasised the need for measures to improve further NATO's ability to sustain its forces in combat. Recalling decisions taken at earlier meetings of Defence Ministers we welcomed the progress made in the following areas:
    1. We have approved the allocation of 3 thousand million Infrastructure Accounting Units (IAUs) for the next six year period of the infrastructure programme. This figure is more than double the funding agreed for the previous period. The infrastructure programme provides essential facilities for the collective needs of Alliance forces. A major effort is needed in this field in order to provide a whole range of important programmes. In particular, we have agreed that within the increased sum allocated, special provision needs to be made for the programmes which furnish support for tactical air reinforcements to Allied Command Europe. These revised programmes will now provide over 70% of the total outstanding support requirements for tactical air reinforcements including hardened aircraft shelters.
    2. We have examined comprehensive reports prepared for us on the state of NATO's ammunition war reserve stocks. Some improvements have already been made and others are now firmly planned to remedy deficiencies in the next few years. None the less, some critical deficiencies will remain under these plans. We are determined to make a special effort to make good these shortfalls and have therefore undertaken further to improve holdings in a selected number of key munitions.
    3. We welcomed recent decisions by some nations to cope with demographic trends, and the work on mobilisable forces that has been put in hand by the NATO Military Authorities. The availability of sufficient manpower, regular and reserves, is an important component of sustainability and contributes vitally to the overall conventional capability.
    4. We agreed that the continued exploitation of new technology offers the potential for considerable enhancement of both current and future conventional capabilities. In this context we noted the progress made within the Independent European Programme Group (IEPG) towards the coordination of research, development and procurement in Europe and, consistent with the need to protect militarily relevant technology, look forward to greatly improved cooperation in this area between the European and North American members of the Alliance
    5. We stressed that obtaining better conventional forces also requires a greater emphasis on long term planning. We welcome the continuing development of long term planning guidelines as well as the work of the NATO Military Authorities in formulating a conceptual military framework. This should help us better to identify overall priorities and should assist the more effective implementation of NATO's existing strategy.
  8. We agreed that redressing the steadily growing conventional imbalance favouring the Warsaw Pact is necessary to strengthen deterrence and reduce dependence on the early use of nuclear weapons. In this regard, we invited the Secretary General and the Defence Planning Committee in Permanent Session to come forward with proposals for a coherent effort to improve NATO conventional defences. This should, inter alia, include an early conclusion to ongoing work on a conceptual military framework, establishment of priorities for conventional defence improvements, harmonisation of ongoing national efforts to improve conventional defence capabilities, the encouragement of current international efforts to coordinate defence procurement, Alliance-wide efforts to make the necessary resources available, optimisation of use of available resources, and integration of the results into the planning process of the Alliance. The approach and initial results of this work should be reported to us at our next meeting.
  9. The 1984 Defence Review has shown again that despite commendable efforts by some Allies, more aid, and by more nations, is essential to help Greece, Portugal and Turkey to improve their forces and to carry out their missions more effectively to the advantage of all.
  10. Recalling the Bonn Summit documents, we reaffirm the position adopted in previous communiqués concerning developments outside the NATO Treaty area that might threaten the vital interests of members of the Alliance. Against the background of United States planning for its rapidly deployable forces, we reviewed continuing work on measures necessary to maintain deterrence and defence within the NATO area, noting in particular that a number of force goals on compensation have been added to the 195-1990 force goal package. We will ensure that NATO defence planning continues to take account of the need for such measures.
  11. Determined that defence planning will remain responsive to the defence needs of the Alliance, we remain equally determined to seek ways to reduce those needs. We look forward to renewal of a dialogue that can lead to mutually acceptable, verifiable arms control agreements which reduce the levels of nuclear and other armaments on both sides and enhance international stability. We hope that the forthcoming meeting between the United States- Secretary of State and the Soviet Foreign Minister will advance such a process.

The Minister of Defence of Spain reserves his Government's position on the present Communiqué.

Footnote:

 

1. Denmark and Greece reserve their positions on paragraph 3.