scope:

NATO FOREWORD

1. The fundamental changes which have occurred in the geo-political structure of Europe over the last few years have meant new challenges and concerns for NATO. Although the main threat against which NATO was originally conceived has all but disappeared, it has been replaced by potential and actual conflict which affect NATO interests.

2. The operations in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia have shown the necessity for NATO forces to work together in the conduct of Alliance or Coalition joint operations. These operations and further developing concepts have shown that elements of different nations land forces regularly deploy alongside, pass through each other's area of operations or be grouped within multinational formations.

3. Operations under these conditions demand a high degree of interoperability. Significant differences do remain, particularly in organization and equipment, and will continue to exist between land forces of the Alliance for some time. Therefore, it is essential that these forces possess a common understanding of the principles of land combat and the appropriate tactics, techniques and procedures to ensure interoperability within the joint battlespace.

4. ATP-3.2 has been developed to ensure this common understanding and approach. It contains much the same content as ATP-35(B) although this has been rationalised within the NATO Joint Hierarchy. ATP-3.2 will continue to be amended, to reflect the fundamental development in NATO 's Strategic Concept and the way in which tactical doctrine evolves. ATP-3.2 is subordinate and related to AJP-3 Joint Operations

5. The aim of ATP-3.2 is to outline the doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures for planning, preparing and executing NATO (alliance or coalition) land component operations within the joint battlespace, in order to maximise combat effectiveness.

6. Although a Joint Related publication, ATP-3.2 is produced as an authoritative guide for Commanders and Staff within the Land Component and to inform Joint Commanders and Staff. The primary focus of ATP-3.2 is combined arms warfighting doctrines, tactics, techniques and procedures at formation (brigade/task force) and above. Doctrine for Other Operations is covered in AJP-3.4 and its subordinate publications.

7. Unless they have indicated otherwise by a stated reservation, nations by ratification of STANAG 2868 (ATP-3.2) have agreed that:

a. In dealing with NATO agencies and member nations in all matters of land force doctrine, they will use the terminology in this manual.

b. For alliance or coalition operations they will use the doctrine stated in this publication.

8. It is understood and accepted that the land force doctrine of any nation may go beyond and expand on ATP-3.2. However, this must not lead to a decrease in the ability of their land forces to work effectively together. Similarly, it is realized that national procedures to implement common doctrine may differ markedly. To overcome this potential threat to interoperability requires standardization agreements and multinational field standing operating procedures in areas where interaction is necessary. ATP-3.2 in addition to providing a common doctrine and vocabulary for land operations, will assist with the identification of areas where additional standardization is required.

9. Throughout ATP-3.2, references are given to other NATO documents in which additional or more complete information on particular subjects is to be found. A list of the documents that are related to ATP-3.2 is at Annex A.