Proceedings of a Symposium on Analysis for Weapons Decisions in Relation to NATO Standardization, Budgeting, and Management

A symposium was held to promote combat readiness in Europe. Three areas were addressed: rationalization, standardization, and interoperability. The speakers were concerned about the need to reduce basic differences among the forces within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the need to promote allied cooperation. One important problem was identified as the lack of communication concerning objectives and strategy among the key parties involved in NATO. A Department of Defense priority effort will be the military standardization and interoperability of equipment procured for United States Forces stationed in Europe with the equipment used by other Alliance members. Economic issues and impediments faced in the effort to improve weapons cooperation among the alliance countries were discussed.