CONCEPTUAL PRINCIPLES FOR PLANNING AND CONDUCTING LAND OPERATIONS ACCORDING TO NATO STANDARDS

Abstract

Based on the analysis of the modern NATO doctrine on land operations and other guiding publications, the ideas, principles and basic concepts used in military management in the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance are systematized. The interpretation into Ukrainian military terminology reveals the main ideas and principles of the concepts of Command and Control, Manoeuvrist approach, Mission command, as well as the requirements for planning land operations.

It is emphasized that the principles of warfare, operations, and combat are the most significant non-physical factor influencing the success of operations at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels.

In the leading publications of NATO member states, Command and Control is revealed as a complex concept that reflects, on the one hand, significant distinctive features of the system of thinking and activity of commanders, and on the other hand, the system of work of the headquarters of all levels of management.

The cyclical planning process has been shown to be more important than adhering to plans in operations. It helps commanders understand problems and develop solutions to them. Planning keeps troops focused on creating the desired end conditions defined by the commander's intent, despite the complexity, variability, and contradictions of the current situation. Effective plans are those that encourage initiative and coordinate actions.

The article presents the maneuverist approach as a key concept of the modern Western doctrine of land operations, which emphasizes understanding the situation and manipulating human nature, exploiting the enemy's vulnerabilities, using indirect and original methods of action, and minimizing losses. This approach offers quick results or results significantly greater than the resources employed, making it attractive to the quantitatively weaker side. It is based on the Mission Command philosophy.

The main ideas and principles of the Mission Command were formulated and interpreted into Ukrainian military vocabulary, namely: special requirements for commanders; their ability to make independent decisions; orderly freedom of action and initiative, based on the commander's intent; trust and coherence; effective plans stimulate initiative; giving orders in the form of Mission-type orders.

The conclusion states that the key intangible condition for victory over a numerically superior enemy is to avoid and eradicate the shortcomings of the totalitarian soviet concept of military command. This concept is overly centralized, where actions are allowed only if they are authorized. Creative operational thinking is replaced by templates, the authoritarian powers of the commander are not balanced by individual responsibility, critical assessments are unacceptable, and career success is based on loyalty and personal "devotion" to the superior (commander) and only as an exception – on professional competence. Post-soviet approaches to management reject officers with critical and creative thinking.