The convoy protection demonstration was organized by the new Emerging Security Challenges Division at NATO Headquarters and executed by Alliance’s advanced technology arm - the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency – and the Belgian Ministry of Defence. In attendance were 200 senior commanders and officials from 18 member and Partner countries, as well as officials from the European Defence Agency and the US Joint IED Defeat Organization.
“One of our best assets - but also a challenge - remains information sharing,” said Francoise Perret from the Emerging Security Challenges Division, “In an effort to save lives and avoid duplication of effort we are bringing together technology companies, commanders with recent experience in Afghanistan and experts from Nations to share their experiences, discuss the latest and most effective approaches.”
Improved information-sharing is one axis in a renewed Alliance to counter the threat posed by IEDs as more NATO forces push deeper into traditional insurgent territory in Afghanistan. Others include training, doctrine, joint research, procurement and the collaborative fielding of new experimental technology. NATO’s Allied Command Transformation has overall lead for the Alliance’s C-IED action plan.
Click on the link below to see video footage from the event:
http://www.nc3a.nato.int/news/multimedia/Pages/default.aspx
A comprehensive approach to the threat
The convoy protection demonstration leveraged the latest tactics, techniques and procedures, NATO C-IED training doctrine as well as advanced tools like full-motion video sharing from UAVs, ground penetrating radars, jammers, robots, vehicle and body scanners and the stand-off detection of explosives systems.
It was followed by a lessons learned session and a discussion with military operators and national experts from the US, UK Italy, Spain, Ireland and Sweden, some who had just returned from Afghanistan.
“We are talking about a comprehensive effort - a well-trained soldier’s eye can be as potent as the latest technology,” said Franco Fiore from the NC3A, “At the same technology can significantly aid the effort.”
“Equal attention is paid to training as to intelligence-sharing - we are going after not just the device itself, but also the networks that finance and place IEDs,” said Lt Col John Greaves, CIED IPT team leader at NATO’S Allied Command Transformation.
The event paved the way for the 27 October ISAF C-IED Briefing day organized by the Emerging Security Challenges Division and chaired by the Alliance’s C-IED Capability Monitor, General Kjell Ove Skare, focusing on intelligence and information sharing. It began the Force protection Briefing Day organised by the new division under the leadership of Allied Command Operations.
Established in August, the Emerging Security Challenges Division focuses on terrorism, the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, cyber defence, and energy security.
NATO focus on information sharing in C-IED fight