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Understanding NBC Warfare

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Understanding NBC Warfare FM 3-100/MCWP 3-3.7.1 The end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the antipathy toward the US — may use WMD to Warsaw Pact introduced a complex strategic escalate the conflict. So, potential use of these environment. That environment is multi-polar, weapons has become a major cause of destabilization interdependent, and regionally oriented. Emerging in regional conflict. powers are rapidly transforming the strategic The lessened chance of global confrontation and a landscape and exhibiting new trends. One such trend concomitant rise in regional instability and conflict is the changing nature of regional conflict. It is an are new realities. We cannot say the threat of WMD alarming prospect that developing nations, with in Europe is extinct. We can only say that it is hostility towards the US, may have nuclear, lessened by the contemporary political climate. While biological, and chemical (NBC) munitions — traditional superpowers no longer have political aims weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The growth of that would justify using these weapons, widespread these weapons increases the chance that many nations growth in developing nations increases their could use them. So, potential use of WMD likelihood of use. dramatically alters the nature of regional conflict across the continuum of operations. The growth of WMD in the developing nations is an arms race within an arms race. Major world powers The premises of the Cold War, rooted in superpower continue to reduce their inventory of conventional adversarial relationships, give way to a new strategic weapons and WMD. However, a significant number pragmatism based on diversified, regional threats that of developing.“ nations maintain ambitious arms may have WMD. Some experts argue that reducing programs. These programs are designed to enhance WMD in the arsenals of major world powers lessens the likelihood of their use. This seems applicable only in the context of global conflict, a diminishing probability in these momentous times. We must consider the use of WMD as we have no assurance that we shall face a nation that has them. The US can no longer intervene in regional conflicts involving use — or potential use — of WMD. We cannot reasonably expect their use to cease simply because our forces arrive. To the contrary, the belligerent who has the most to lose — or the most 1-1 FM 3-100/MCWP 3-3.7.1 conventional weapons capabilities and develop or on the decisions of policy makers at the strategic improve their capability to use WMD. level, as well as commanders at the operational and The developing nations arms race is tactical level. Introduction of forces into regional multi-dimensional, manifesting itself in vertical and conflicts will become increasingly risky due to the horizontal growth. Vertical growth, the more potential use of WMD. traditional form, occurs as nations known to have Many regional powers have the capability to escalate NBC capability help their allies and client states. a conflict well beyond the tactical level and Horizontal growth proceeds as regional powers try to immediately raise the stakes of our involvement. get weapons and technology, through development Rapid response and a swift end to the conflict will and/or purchase. WMD, growing throughout partially negate the potential rise in the use of these developing nations, present a danger we must contend weapons. with in assessing the new strategic environment. One The effective combination of active and passive serious result of such growth is the chance that WMD operations is a prerequisite to nullify use of WMD by may fall into the hands of terrorists. Terrorism is the threat of coercive violence for political ends. Practiced by nations, groups, or individuals, it takes on an entirely new perspective with the potential use of NBC weapons. We are aware that nations known to support international terrorism seek to become regional nuclear powers. During the Cold War, possible possession of nuclear weapons by these nations raised no significant alarm. Their use against the continental US seemed an impossibility. The perspective is much different as our focus turns from force projection to regions of conflict. Furthermore, the international community’s Figure 1-7. Proliferation of NBC weapons informal policy of benign growth — looking the other 1980 VS. 1995. way --on nuclear arms in the developing nations seems in continuance. An analysis of current growth an adversary. Active measures include raids, strikes, rates reveals that over the next 30 years more than 40 and operations designed to locate and neutralize the nations could produce nuclear weapons. Many more threat of these weapons. Passive measures include may have biological and chemical weapons. adapting proactive NBC defense measures and planning for an effective air and ballistic missile PROLIFERATION OF defense to counter NBC weapon delivery systems. A significant consideration is an adversary’s willingness WEAPONS OF to use these weapons and the conditions that would prompt him to do so. A clearly viable operational MASS DESTRUCTION concept might defeat enemy forces, but result in the The growth of WMD dramatically alters the nature of use of WMD. This would negate any national policy regional conflict. While the Army removes NBC gains or potential for early conflict termination. As weapons from its arsenal, other nations are getting the scope and nature of conflict changes, so to do the them at an alarming rate. At any stage of build-up, objectives and outcomes. during hostilities, and even during redeployment operations, US forces may come under attack by Nuclear NBC weapons. Planning and training for operations Regional conflict will expand as the integration of in such an environment are urgent. No one should ballistic missile technology and nuclear warhead ignore the risks associated with WMD. technology proliferate in the developing nations and It is not the sheer killing power of WMD that provide new challenges for deterrence. Basic nuclear signifies the greatest effect. It is the strategic, technology, now over 40 years old, is readily operational, psychological, and political impact of available to any nation, group, or individual seeking their use. The presence of these weapons will it. The growth of ballistic missiles in the developing dramatically influence public opinion. This impacts nations is of paramount importance as it couples the 1-2 FM 3-100/MCWP 3-3.7.1 conventional arms race to WMD. Ballistic missiles, attack the human body and either kill or render that some with the potential to adapt warheads, are in the body ineffective. While the effects of BWs vary by inventories of more than a few nations. The growth type of organism or toxin used, their characteristics of nuclear weapons expands the scope and nature of for use are similar. Biological agents, created to be conflict, increasing the risk of escalation. highly infectious, ensure death or disablement, and The integration of nuclear weapons and long-range are relatively simple to introduce over large areas. ballistic missile systems expands the scope of regional Because of the perceptions caused by the use of BWs, conflict. Ballistic missiles significantly reduce psychological and political attitudes would be strongly reaction time. They create complex planning and affected. Military forces would, of course, be at risk. decision criteria for power-projection forces. Some But the potential for grievous collateral damage is developing nations have the ability to use WMD at enormous. So, defensive measures — both active and extended range using ballistic missiles. This passive — would be necessary to mitigate the effects significantly enhances their effectiveness as of a biological attack. Populations — both military instruments of terror against unprotected targets. and civilian — would need informational, With the ability of nations to use missiles at psychological, and medical preparation. extra-regional targets comes the possibility of conflict escalation beyond the boundaries of the recognized Chemical region. Any attempt to expand conflict by attacking All current and future operations have the potential to other nations is clearly an escalator act. occur in a chemical environment. The US has Long-standing conflicts between adversaries will take renounced use of lethal or incapacitating chemical on new dimensions as enhanced ballistic missile munitions. However, the first choice among WMD technology and growth of WMD continue to coalesce. by other nations or terrorists groups may most likely Intervention before or during a conflict involving be chemicals. Proper preparation for operations in a nuclear weapons requires a detailed assessment of the chemical environment is deterrence. Deterrence limits value of the interests involved and potential costs in many of the possible advantages of an adversary’s use terms of casualties and political outcomes. Campaign of these weapons. Use of chemicals also poses a planners advise the commander on an adversary’s special dilemma. The measures we take to cope with capability to use nuclear weapons and under what them are militarily degrading. conditions he is most likely to do so. A critical Chemical weapons produce immediate and delayed planning consideration is to create force dispositions effects that will hamper operations through the that do not provide lucrative targets for nuclear contamination of individuals, equipment, supplies, weapons. and critical terrain features. Commanders must The immediate effects
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