HC Deb 30 November 1984 vol 68 cc595-7W
Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether exchange visits have taken place between British officers developing the land and air concept and the officers of the American Army's training and doctrine command.

Mr. Stanley

The concept of operations in question is under development by NORTHAG, which is a NATO headquarters. I cannot say what contacts its international staff have.

Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the development of the land and air concept will necessitate a revision of the British Army's tactical manual.

Mr. Stanley

No. Our tactical doctrine is continually being evolved. Naturally this is reflected in the manual which supports it.

Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the development of the operational concept for land and air operations in the central region is part of the follow-on force attack plan.

Mr. Stanley

No.

Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the concept being developed by General Sir Nigel Bagnall, Commander Northern Army Group, under the title land and air battle is similar to the airland battle concept of the United States Army;

(2) if he will precisely define the differences between the land air concept and the airland concept of the United States Army.

Mr. Stanley

Airland battle is the United States Army's, not NATO's, agreed tactical doctrine designed to meet any contingency worldwide. The concept of operations which General Bagnall is developing in his NATO capacity as commander, northern army group is concerned with the defence of his command within the agreed strategy of forward defence and flexible response.

Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether concepts parallel to the land and air concept under development with Northern Army Group and 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force are being developed for other sections of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's command structure.

Mr. Stanley

NATO commanders keep their concepts of operation, which are their plans for accomplishing their missions, under review in the light of developments in the warsaw pact threat and in NATO capabilities. These concepts vary according to the differing natures of their commands.

Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the month and year the development of the land and air concept of operations for Northern Army Group and 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force was authorised.

Mr. Stanley

The NORTHAG concept of operations was introduced following the adoption by NATO of its strategy of forward defence and flexible response in 1967. It is the responsibility of NATO commanders to be continually developing their concept of operations to meet their operational responsibilities.

Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will define the relationship between the follow-on force attack concept and the land and air concept being developed by Northern Army Group and 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force;

(2) whether he will make a statement on the land and air concept being developed by the British Army and the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Stanley

In his NATO capacity, the commander of the Northern Army Group is developing a revised concept of operations which should ensure a more effective defence of his command within the principles of NATO's agreed strategy of forward defence and flexible response. It does not relate to follow on forces attack which is a long-term planning guideline.

Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what procurement decisions are associated with the development of the land and air concept under development by the Northern Army Group and 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force.

Mr. Butler

No such decisions arise at this stage.

Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the land and air concept being developed by British forces includes any contingency for the use of nuclear artillery and surface to surface missiles

(2) whether any nuclear option is included in the land and air concept being developed by Northern Army Group and 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force.

Mr. Stanley

The revised concept of operations being developed by NATO's Northern Army Group will not alter the role of nuclear weapons within NATO's strategy of forward defence and flexible response.