NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

The US deploys tactical nuclear weapons in seven NATO countries (Greece, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Belgium, UK and the Netherlands), and has agreements with these countries allowing them to take control of the weapons and use them in a state of war. These agreements are somewhat controversial with some NPT members claiming they are in violation of NPT Articles I and II.



NATO policy, like that of the US, UK, France and Russia, allows for the possible ‘first-use’ of nuclear weapons. In the 1980s NATO Military Command maintained detailed plans for the use of nuclear weapons in specific scenarios. However, in recent years it has developed “adaptive targeting capability” designed to allow NATO commanders to develop target plans and nuclear weapons employment plans on short notice.



NATO reliance on nuclear weapons was reaffirmed in the 1999 Strategic Concept released on NATO’s 50th anniversary. Attempts by Canada, Germany and the Netherlands to initiate a wide debate on NATO nuclear doctrine were rebuffed by the US, UK and France. However, they did agree to an ongoing review of NATO nuclear policy.

See:      Martin Butcher NATO Nuclear Policy
Nuclear Futures Series, BASIC 
NATO Notes. Centre for European Security and Disarmament

PNND Briefing Book online- Nuclear Doctrine, NATO

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