scope:

FOREWORD

Allied Joint Publication (AJP) 3.1, Allied Joint Maritime Operations, outlines the basic principles, doctrine, and practices of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) maritime forces in a joint environment. It is intended to influence thinking and provide guidance to NATO joint and maritime staffs about the application of maritime power in Allied joint operations. AJP-3.1 derives its authority from and complements AJP-3, Allied Joint Operations, which presents NATO doctrine for planning and conducting joint operations. AJP-3 provides overarching doctrine on Allied joint operations, while AJP-3.1 focuses on the unique characteristics and employment considerations for maritime forces in joint operations. It addresses the fundamental factors that influence the employment of maritime power and the key aspects of command and control from the command perspective. Although intended primarily for NATO forces, AJP-3.1 also applies to operations within the framework of a combined joint task force in a multinational force of NATO and non-NATO nations.