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British Military Transformation and Afghanistan Professor Theo Farrell Dept of War Studies King’s College London
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US military transformation 2001 QDR: transformation “at the heart” of a “new strategic approach” Rooted in RMA of 1990s Transformation = technology + new concepts and organization Core concepts: NCW and EBO
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Opportunity: socio-tech change
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Imperative: strategic change
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NCW benefits-chain Network Information Situation awareness Self-synchronization Mission effectiveness
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Origins of EBO
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Twenty days later…
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Human-centric warfare
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Advert for RMA
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NATO survey: responses CountryNumberPercentage Germany 349 14 France 225 9 Spain 220 9 Italy 204 8 Netherlands 204 8 Denmark 187 8 Belgium 164 7 Britain 146 6 Total2464100
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Impact of IT
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Importance of NEC
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Future is EBAO
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Large formation warfare?
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European opinion? A new paradigm of warfare Network enabled & effects based Expeditionary & medium weight
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Many transformation gaps Britain: culture & cost constraints France: strategic use Germany: bureaucratic obstacles Spain: rhetorical use Romania: new narrative
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British military transformation Must “move away from simplistic platform-centric planning, to a fully ‘network-enabled capability’ able to exploit effects-based planning and operations, using forces which are truly adaptable, capable of even greater precision and rapidly deployable” Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon Defence White Paper 2003
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Network Enabled Capability NEC “at the heart of our transformation.” NEC = “the coherent integration of sensors, decision-makers, weapon systems and support capabilities to achieve the desired effect” DWP 2003
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Future Combat Systems, RIP
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NEC evolutionary approach Initial state (2012) Transitional state (2017) Mature state (2030)
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Acquiring NEC NEC embedded across the equip plan: in 60% of 500+ projects Key progs: DII, BOWMAN, SKYNET 5, Transforming battlespace and business space DSTL study on NCW benefits-chain: human element
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Effects based approach to operations (EBAO)
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National Strategic Aim/ National Strategic Objectives Operational End-state Governance Security Political Process Reconstruction DC 1 Interim Governance Provided DC 2 Self- Governance Established DC 3 Secure Environment Maintained DC 4 Self-Sustaining Security Established DC 5 Electoral Process Reformed DC 6 Elected Government Empowered DC 8 Key Infrastructure Restored DC 7 Sustained Infrastructure Established (Ability to Govern) Operational Centre of Gravity Create the security conditions that enable: Lasting peace in which the threat of violence and civil war has been curtailed Country ‘X’ to generate mature political structures, supported by reliable infrastructure and governance, providing prosperity and security for all its people.
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Transforming in contact
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British campaign, 2006-2008 16 bde: ‘inkspot’ to platoon house 3 cdo: chasing the Taliban 12 mech: big sweeps 52 bde: ‘clear, hold, build’ 16 bde: Kajaki Dam
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Task ForceTroops in contact 16 Air Assault527 3 Commando831 12 Mechanised1,096
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Task ForceDateSize 16 AA20063,150/ 4,500 3 Cdo2006-075,200 12 Mech20076,500 52 Inf2007-087,750 16 AA20088,530 3 Cdo2008-098,300
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Clearing Central Helmand 3 Cdo 2008 - Op SOND CHARA 19 Bde 2009 - Op PANCHAI PALANG 11 Bde 2010 – Op MOSHTARAK
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Op PANCHAI PALANG
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Op MOSHTARAK
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NEC: battefield pull
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EBAO in Afghanistan soft effects and influence ops cultural understanding messaging: “talking our way in”
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Military success!
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Ouch! The 2010 SDSR CSR 2010: real cut 8% over 4 yrs Most cuts in 2013-15 Inherited overspend £38 bn Def expenditure as % GDP: Year% 20092.7 20142.2 2009 (Eur av)1.7
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ServiceCuts by 2015 Army7% RAF18% RN16%
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The shrinking force 200420102015 Fast jet sqn 16126 Frigates & destroyers 312319
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Future of FRES?
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Future Character of Conflict?
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Stuck with Mastiff and Ridgeback
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The adaptable posture More than a buzz word? CT, cyber, and natural disasters Adaptable in Afghanistan: - deliver range of civil effects in non- permissive environments - secure and stabilise for civilian partners
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The adaptable force
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