NATO Allies and partners have not faced a near-peer adversary since the end of the Cold War. Currently, there is a need for a comprehensive analysis of the dangers enemy Anti-Access Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities pose to NATO members and partners. Common solutions to mitigate, suppress or neutralize these dangers do not exist. The dearth of forward-deployed forces means that the Alliance would be very dependent on early reinforcement of threatened Allies in a crisis or in a war, and on power-projection by long-range forces stationed elsewhere. These operations may be threatened by adversary Anti-Access and A2/AD capabilities.
NATO STO Research Task Group SAS-147 on Analysis of A2/AD will assess challenges posed by A2/AD capabilities and identify potential solutions, in order to inform Allies and partners about changes that might be necessary to operate in A2/AD contested environments. It held its kick-off meeting at the NATO STO /Collaboration Support Office in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, on 10 and 11 December 2019. The multi-national group, led by Dr Mike Winnerstig from the Swedish Defence Research Agency, consists of Subject Matter Experts from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, HQ Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).
Dr Winnerstig explained, “the research will focus on modern A2/AD systems, their capabilities, strengths and weaknesses, deployment domains, technical characteristics, employment, the nature of and the links in the effect chains, but also on the potential for improved Allied and partner resolve and cohesion, enhanced deterrence, and strategic communications as a means to address the challenges posed by adversary A2/AD capabilities”. “Our aim is to deliver to NATO and NATO Nations an analytic research report and disseminated the findings through a series of events to engage and inform national and organizational stakeholders", according to Dr Winnerstig.
This activity is open to NATO Nations, NATO Organizations and NATO STO Enhanced Opportunity Partners (Australia, Finland, Sweden). If you want to contribute to the research and can help answer questions like: What are the major strengths/weaknesses of current A2/AD systems; What kind of technical, tactical and operational means could be used for mitigation of these systems; What is the operational impact of these A2/AD systems and necessary Allied means of mitigations of the former; and What are the strategic and policy considerations, including enhanced deterrence for the Alliance and its partners, please contact the SAS Panel Office.
NATO Allies and partners have not faced a near-peer adversary since the end of the Cold War. Currently, there is a need for a comprehensive analysis of the dangers enemy Anti-Access Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities pose to NATO members and partners. Common solutions to mitigate, suppress or neutralize these dangers do not exist. The dearth of forward-deployed forces means that the Alliance would be very dependent on early reinforcement of threatened Allies in a crisis or in a war, and on power-projection by long-range forces stationed elsewhere. These operations may be threatened by adversary Anti-Access and A2/AD capabilities.
