scope:

This publication sets forth an overarching construct of the geospatial support principles and process to govern the geospatial support activities of the NATO Command Structure (NCS), NATO force structure (NFS), and NATO partner nations when planning, preparing, deploying, deployed on, or training for NATO operations.

Purpose

The AJP 3.17 ''Allied Joint Doctrine for Geospatial Support'' addresses the lack of doctrine covering the area of geospatial support. Lessons learned from NATO Response Force (NRF) rotations and operations like Kosovo Force (KFOR), International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Resolute Support mission clearly highlight the need for an agreed framework for Geospatial Support to NATO and NATO Operations. There is a lack of documentation that prevents the MC Geospatial Policy from being translated into effective common operational principles.

Lessons learned from the deployment of NATO's Core GIS¹ also underpin the urgent requirement for doctrine regarding the provision of geospatial support to virtually all military functions and capabilities

¹ The NATO Core Geographic Information System (GIS) is a core element within bilateral strategic commands (Bi- SC) Automated Information System (AIS) meant to deliver coherent digital geospatial services to all users, functions and their systems