FOLLOW-ON FORCES ATTACK AND ADVANCED CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: AN APPRAISAL

NATO's concept of Follow-On Forces Attack (FOFA) seeks to exploit advanced conventional weaponry to redress conventional military deficiencies. This thesis assesses the potential contribution of FOFA with discussion of: conventional military strategy in Europe's central front; advanced conventional weaponry for counter-air and antiarmor requirements; economic constraints; and, Warsaw Pact countermeasures. NATO probably will not be capable of generating sufficient military expenditures to procure all of the systems desired for FOFA, and must not increase its capability to attack targets located well beyond the forward edge of the battle area (FEBA) at the expense of the capability to defend forward, particularly since Warsaw Pact countermeasures probably will include increases in the combat power of first echelon forces. NATO weapons procurement should emphasize operationally versatile systems for employment primarily within the FEBA, with secondary consideration for longer range capability.