https://declassified.library.utoronto.ca/files/original/90de6730c6a8924a0c06946dbf80a77e.pdf 5b8286fd2d57b9ce0d31195fddd10cb9 PDF Text Text NATO—SECRET ^PyJL &yu/ ^ 1-28 - , NATO SECRET COPY NO, ^ CP/c*ys c?Sdp,/£)g-l NORTH ATLANTIC MILITARY COMMITTEE COMITE MILITAIRE DE L'ATLANTIQUE NORD MCM-72-62 18 May 1962 MEMORANDUM FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY COMMITTEE IN CHIEFS OF STAFF SESSION SUBJECT: Comments by SACEUR on Military Aspects of the Introduction of MRBMs into NATO Reference: MC 99 (Discussion Draft)(Referral Note) dtd 1 May 62 a 3 & % fo % - / 1. At Enclosure 1 are comments which were put forth by SACEUR on the referenced document. 2. These comments are furnished for your background information when discussing this item at the 28th Session of the MC/CS on 21 May 1962. ^^^/t^k^-^o^ MAURICE E. KAISER Colonel j, U.S. Army Secretary 1 ENCLOSURE 1. SACEUR's comments DISTRIBUTION: A B C 0\ E10 Fil Gl-3 K L NATO SECRET MCM-72-62 (y^^Ly .—r 1 . /Z2 ^ This document consists of k pages ; /&&J/27) TO—SECRFT : > . 3,/6-TIx . 00M30 -1 : i^A. �NATO SECRET ENCLOSURE 1 SACEUR's COMMENTS ON MC 99 (Discussion Draft) (Military Aspects of the Introduction of MRBMs into NATO) 1. Para k, page 2, lines 6-8: The establishment of k THOR squadrons in the UK is generously described as contributing to meeting the NATO requirement for IRBMs in MC 70. Since these missiles are part of the external forces, not under SACEUR's command or control in either peace or war, this statement is misleading. By inference, other external forces could similarly be alleged to meet ACE requirements * 2* Para 9&, page 5* It is true that the absence of the MRBM would "weaken the ability of ACE forces to fulfill their role in NATO strategy" but this an understatement of the military fact that this absence would reduce the defense of ACE below acceptable levels. 3« Recommend change to this wording. Para 12, page 6: There is a tendency in this paragraph and in para 17, page 8 and 9f to over emphasize hardening to the detriment of mobility. While hardening of MRBMs may be useful where mobility is terrain restricted, or in order to complicate the enemy's task, mobility remains the primary survival requirement, k* Para lk> page 7* Integration of forces at lower levels is herein implied to be more difficult, related to the MRBM than SHAPE believes to be the case. People, in relatively small units, work together - witness SHAPE, other integrated headquarters and commands - better than nations.. It is not clear that a mobile land-based MRBM, for example, consisting of four men and a vehicle, could not have mixed nationality, particularly where language is similar, and national borders adjacent. f?. Para 17, pages 8 and 9: (see comment on MC 99, para 12, in our para 3 above.) NATO SECRET MCM-72-62 -2- Enclosure 1 �NATO SECRET 6. Para 18, page 9s It is misleading to imply that a shipborne force is so sparing of support facilities, afloat or ashore, or of operating costs and resources* Additionally, it is difficult to see why a ship with a mixed crew is a less difficult problem thans for instance, a missile truck. 7» Para 21, page 10: While SHAPE would certainly give full consideration to national preferences* it must establish ACE military requirements. Recommend amendment of line 6, para 21, to read "based on military requirements, with consideration of national preferences." 8. Para 23. page 10: It would be unfortunate if the impression were left with the NAC that Major NATO Commanders need "military command and control" only in war. In peace, SACEUR will require authority to exercise, alert, deploy, and target mobile MRBMs. Recommend amendment as follows: "that the military-command and control over these weapons should be directly responsive to the Major NATO Commander in peace, for the necessary operational and planning functions, and in war once political authority has been given to use them," 9. Para 26, page 11: Inclusion of preliminary costs for two systems (ship and sub), without similar estimates on a land mobile system is misleading.- Recommend deletion of this paragrapho 10. Para 28g page 12: The conclusion that mobile MRBMs are likely to complicate "modernization" or the "organization of nuclear weapons systems within national forces" is not concurred in by SHAPE. Recommend deletion of para 28 b and substitution by: "Mobile MRBMs are suited to the needs of NATO forcesj their introduction will present no more than the normal difficulties involved in the introduction of any new weapon system. Additionally, technical developments promise features NATO SECRET MCloP72-62 -3- Enclosure 1 000432 �NATO SECRET facilitating command and control of this system which should ease its introduction." 11. Recommend addition of paragraph, in summary, as follows: "A modern nuclear strike force in Allied Command Europe is an imperative requirement. MRBMs are best suited to the task of insuring a modern and effective missile/ aircraft strike force. In the early nineteen sixties this MRBM force should consist of a mixture of mobile land and ^aSBHtp&ae based MRBMs„ An advanced missile system, with the provision of positive and centralized command and control is technically feasible. Such a weapon system, with tamper proof, accident safe and centrally armed warheads, with sealed missiles in mobile containers, can: (1) modernize the ACE force structure; (2) enhance the survival of a nuclear delivery capability during conventional incidents! (3) inspire European confidence in their defense; (li) simplify nuclear control problems; and (5) finally, and of the greatest importance, such a system is absolutely essential to the defense of NATO Europe.". NATO SECRET MCM-72-62 -11- Enclosure 1 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CDNW04436 Title A name given to the resource CDNW04436 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "NATO Cooperation Regarding Nuclear Weapons And Missile Bases (IRBM)," RG24-B-1, vol 21469, file CSC 2108:1, part 5, Library and Archives Canada (LAC). Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Canadian Crown Subject The topic of the resource Nuclear Weapons Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Canada Declassified Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource en