Family of Plans

Definition

NATO's Concept for Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA) is a strategic redeployment of the Alliance’s approach to deterrence and defence since the end of the Cold War. It aligns with the demands of modern warfare, upholding a defensive nature and reflecting the Allies' commitment to a stable, rules-based global order. DDA aims to protect Allies from threats, for example posed by Russia and terror groups through strategic military activities in peace, crisis, and conflict, integrating multi-domain operations to defend all Allies. This concept guides NATO's preparedness by enhancing political decision-making, collective understanding of threats and challenges, peace preservation through vigilance and deterrence activities, and strategic military flexibility for collective defence and crisis management. NATO has implemented a programme to modernise its plans, forces, alert systems, command and control, and exercises aligned with DDA, aiming to build a flexible and resilient multi-domain architecture to address threats and secure Allies.

 Connection to CIMIC:

Integration of CIMIC as a joint function in the family of plans on all levels and phases is critical herein, as CIMIC sets the conditions to synchronise military activities across all operational domains (Cyber, Space, Air, Land and Maritime) and environments with non-military activities to create converging effects. The joint function framework assists commanders in integrating political, military and civilian actions through the operational domains. The joint function CIMIC and the joint functions manoeuvre, fire, and information execute joint actions to create effects. They are informed and directed by the joint functions' intelligence and command and control and supported by the joint functions' sustainment and force protection.

Source

https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/natos-concept-deterrence-and-defence-euro-atlantic-area-dda

Key words

Deterrence and Defence

Strategic Redeployment

Modern Warfare

Multi-Domain Operations

Collective Defence

Threat Assessment

Crisis Management

Military Flexibility

Strategic Military Activities

CIMIC Integration