From 2 to 4 October 2019, a NATO STO multi-national Exploratory Team met to discuss options to analyse the military aspects of hybrid warfare. The team, led by Canada, brought together experts from Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, NATO Special Operations Headquarters, United Kingdom’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Royal Danish Defence College, Latvian Defence Sciences Research Centre, Finish National Defence University, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Croatian Hybrid Warfare Research Institute, Mission of Ukraine to NATO and Defence Research and Development Canada.
The occupation of Crimea and the war in Eastern Ukraine has seen Russia apply a mix of traditional and novel means to further its policy goals. Commonly known as hybrid warfare, these methods have created specific challenges for Ukraine and NATO more broadly. As a whole, Ukraine’s experience in countering Russian aggression remains unique. However, many of the specific actions taken by Russia against Ukraine exhibit similarity to Russian activities against other countries. Nonetheless, military actions create both military and non-military effects and non-military actions can have both non-military and military effects. The proposed STO research activity would contribute to the professional development and training of military and civilian planners, and analysts at the operational and strategic. levels. Achievements are contingent upon the level of commitment by participating nations to provide information as well as resources, but could be exploited by NATO and Partner Nations, the NATO Defence Education Enhancement Programme, the NATO Special Operations School, the George C. Marshall Center and the NATO School in Oberammergau counter-hybrid threat education and concept development programs, and be incorporated into the training of military specialists at the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s higher military education institutions
At its Fall 2019 meeting, the NATO STO System Analysis and Studies (SAS) Panel - NATO STO’s expert analytical advice panel – will review the proposal and make an inventory which NATO Nations and Organizations are willing to commit to this research. Please contact the SAS Panel Executive if you want more information on the activity.
Published by SAS |