A View from NATO HQ

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NATOs Nuclear Policy
A View from NATO HQ Guy B. Roberts Deputy
Assistant Secretary General for WMD
Policy International Staff, NATO HQ April 2006
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Overview

• - Alliance Strategy -- Nuclear Elements
• - Nuclear Arms Control
• - U.S. Nuclear Policy Changes -- Impact
• - Nuclear Planning Group -- Direction
• - High Level Group -- Policy development
• - NATO - Russia
• - NPG Staff Group -- Management
• - Public Information

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Principles of NATO Strategy
- Common commitment, mutual co-operation,
indivisibility of security and indispensable
transatlantic link - Strategy of war
prevention - Alliance - no countrys adversary -
Political will and military means for deterrence
and defence - Significant role for arms control,
disarmament andnon proliferation -
Fundamentally political purpose of the Allies
nuclear forces Preserve peace and prevent
coercion and any kind of war
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Nuclear Elements of NATO Strategy (1)
Key elements - NATOs conventional forces
alone cannot credibly deter - Maintain - for
the foreseeable future - mix of nuclear and
conventional forces, at minimum sufficient
level - NW ensure uncertainty in mind of any
aggressor - They deter the use of NBC
weapons - NW make unique contribution in
rendering the risks of aggression
incalculable and unacceptable - NW remain
essential to preserve peace
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Nuclear Elements of NATO Strategy (2)
Key elements - Widespread participation by
European Allies - Nuclear forces based in
Europe - Strategic and sub-strategic nuclear
forces (SSNF) Sub-strategic DCA and
Sub-Strategic Trident - Maintain transatlantic
link - Political control under all
circumstances - No operational plans in
peacetime (SSNF) Adaptive nuclear planning -
Circumstances for contemplation of nuclear
use extremely remote
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Nuclear Arms Control
The Alliances policy of support for arms
control, disarmament, and non-proliferation will
continue to play a major role in the achievement
of the Alliances security objectives.
Strategic Concept, Para 40
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NATO and the NPT
NPT Article VI Each of the Parties to the
Treaty undertakes to pursue negotiations in good
faith on effective measures relating to cessation
of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to
nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general
and complete disarmament under strict and
effective international control. Alliance
Strategic Concept Alliance nuclear forces will
be maintained at the minimum level sufficient to
preserve peace and stability.
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U.S. Nuclear Policy

• I am committed to achieving a credible
  deterrent with the lowest-possible number of
  nuclear weapons consistent with our national
  security needs, including our obligations to our
  allies.

President George W. Bush National Defense
University May 2001
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French and U.K. Policies

• France (Chirac speech, Jan 06)
• nuclear deterrence remains the fundamental
  guarantee of our security.
• leaders of States who would ... consider using
  weapons of mass destruction, must understand
  that they would lay themselves open to a firm and
  adapted response on our part.
• U.K. (Sec State Hoon to Parliament, Mar 02)
• States of concern with WMD can be absolutely
  confident that in the right conditions we would
  be willing to use our nuclear weapons

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Participation after Enlargement

• Political Principles require maximum Allied
  participation in nuclear employment options
• Models for Allies participation
• Not obstructing preparations / planning
• Actively advocating planning / operations
• Providing permission for basing, overflight,
  logistic support or mission planning
• Active participation in operations

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Implications for Strategy

• Role for NWs against WMD threats
• NW role against terrorism
• Relationship between deterrence and MD
• Development of Russia relationship
• Impact of enlargement

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Summary

• NWs continue to play essential deterrent role in
  NATOs security
• Risks and threats are changing
• Improving relationship with Russia
• Policies and plans must be adapted to new
  realities

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Discussion/Questions?

• - Alliance Strategy -- Nuclear Elements
• - Nuclear Arms Control
• - U.S. Nuclear Policy Changes -- Impact
• - Nuclear Planning Group -- Direction
• - High Level Group -- Policy development
• - NATO - Russia
• - NPG Staff Group -- Management
• - Public Information