Allied Command Operations Comprehensive Operations Planning Directive

444 Pages·2013·4.84 MB·English

NATO UNCLASSIFIED
SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED POWERS EUROPE
BELGIUM
04 OCT 13
ALLIED COMMAND OPERATIONS
COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS
PLANNING DIRECTIVE
COPD INTERIM V2.0
04 October 2013
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PREFACE

1. Allied Command Operations Comprehensive Operations Planning Directive (COPD)
Interim Version 2.0 (V 2.0) is a complete rewrite of, and supersedes, ACO COPD Interim
Version 1.0 (V1.0) issued on 17 December 2010. It articulates, in separate chapters, the
operations planning process (OPP) for the NATO strategic and operational levels, in support of
the NATO Crisis Management Process (NCMP), to facilitate a collaborative approach to
planning.

2. Each situation for which the OPP is used is different. The process and templates
presented in the COPD V2.0 are a capture of best practice; they suit well a timely and
systematic movement through the process from one phase to another. With appropriate
training, they can be used effectively as a guide to develop appropriate operations planning
products for the requisite level to support each situation

3. The development of COPDV2.0 has considered lessons identified through use of the
COPD V1.0, during operations, exercises and training, and due to change such as NATO
Command Structure (NCS) reform, the introduction of the Comprehensive Crisis and Operations
Management Centre (CCOMC) at SHAPE, and updated policy and doctrine. It is consistent
with AJP-5 ‘Allied Joint Doctrine for Operational-Level Planning’, which was recently
promulgated.

4. The COPD V2.0 is issued cognisant of the fact that there is still much on-going work that
will have an influence on the COPD, such as: adjusting to the roles and responsibilities of the
new NCS, including Single Service Commands and deployable Joint Force Command
Headquarters; changes to the mechanisms available for command and control of NATO
operations; and, especially for chapter 3, the continued evolution of the CCOMC and its related
processes. This substantial amount of on-going change is the reason that the COPD V2.0
remains for the time being an ‘interim version’.

5. The COPD is NATO Unclassified so that it can be used across the NATO international
military community to provide common understanding, principles and approach to operations
planning and training. The COPD may also be useful to other actors, subject to approval, within
NATO’s contribution to a comprehensive approach for the promotion of a common set of
(cid:1)(cid:1)
procedures for operations planning.

6. Although an interim version, the COPD V2.0 is to be used during operations, exercises
and training, such as the Comprehensive Operational Planning Course. This approach will
further validate processes and allow improvements to be identified. Validated lessons identified
can be forwarded to the COPD Custodian, through SHAPE J5.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARA.

Record of changes xi

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

Background 1-1 1-1
NATO’s Contribution to a Comprehensive Approach 1-1 1-2
The NATO Crisis Management Process 1-2 1-3
Operations Planning 1-3 1-4
The Comprehensive Operations Planning Directive 1-4 1-5
Operations Planning Principles 1-6 1-6
The Engagement Space 1-8 1-7
Instruments of Power 1-9 1-8
NATO End State, Objectives and Effects 1-10 1-9
Design of Operations 1-12 1-10

CHAPTER 2 - SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

Introduction 2-1 2-1
Information Management for Crises and Operations 2-3 2-2
Horizon Scanning 2-3 2-3
Situational Awareness 2-5 2-4
Knowledge Development Process 2-10 2-5

CHAPTER 3 - STRATEGIC LEVEL

Introduction 3-1 3-1
Strategic Process and Products 3-1 3-2
Organisation for Strategic Planning and Direction 3-4 3-3
External Coordination 3-6 3-4

PHASE 1 - INITIAL SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF A

POTENTIAL/ACTUAL CRISIS

Section 1 - General
Introduction 3-8 3-5

Section 2 - Process
Appreciate Indication of a Potential/Actual Crisis 3-11 3-6
Develop an Initial Understanding of, and Monitor, the
3-12 3-7
Emerging Crisis
Initial Crisis Estimation 3-13 3-8

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SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARA.

PHASE 2 - STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

Section 1 - General
Introduction 3-15 3-9

Section 2 - Process
Initiate SACEUR’s Strategic Assessment 3-19 3-10
Develop a Strategic Appreciation of the Crisis 3-23 3-11
Analyse the Principal Actors and Their Role in the Crisis 3-24 3-12
Assess International Interests and Engagement in the
3-27 3-13
Crisis
Appreciate Security Implications for NATO, Including
3-30 3-14
Potential Strategic Risks and Threats
Appreciate Potential Strategic Ends, Ways and Means 3-30 3-15
Develop Military Considerations 3-34 3-16
Coordinate and Submit SSA 3-36 3-17

PHASE 3 - MILITARY RESPONSE OPTIONS DEVELOPMENT

Section 1 - General
Introduction 3-37 3-18

Section 2 - Process
General 3-39 3-19
Review Political Guidance and Direction 3-40 3-20
Appreciate Lessons Learned from Similar Previous
3-40 3-21
Operations
Select and Develop MROs 3-40 3-22
Analyse, Evaluate and Compare MROs 3-46 3-23
Coordinate and Submit MROs 3-49 3-24

PHASE 4 - STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT

Phase 4A - Strategic Concept of Operations (CONOPS) Development

Section 1 - General
Introduction 3-50 3-25

Section 2 - Process
Initiate Strategic CONOPS Development 3-52 3-26
Update the Selected Military Response Option 3-54 3-27
Establish SACEUR’s Strategic Intent and Guidance 3-56 3-28
Develop and Issue the Strategic Planning Directive 3-57 3-29
Development of the Strategic CONOPS 3-61 3-30
Development of Strategic CONOPS Annexes 3-62 3-31

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SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARA.

Coordinate Strategic Military Requirements in NATO’s
3-63 3-32
Contribution to a Comprehensive Approach
Coordinate Operational Requirements 3-63 3-33
Contribute to the Implementation of NATO’s StratCom
3-66 3-34
Objectives and Guidance
Consider Operations Assessment at the Strategic Level 3-66 3-35
Develop the Strategic Service Support Concept 3-67 3-36
Develop the Concept for Command and Control 3-69 3-37
Review of Draft Operational CONOPS 3-69 3-38
Coordinate and Submit Strategic CONOPS 3-70 3-39

Phase 4B - Strategic OPLAN Development and Force Generation

Section 1 - General
Introduction 3-71 3-40

Section 2 - Process

Force Generation
Review Force Requirements, Force Availability and
3-75 3-41
Possible Contributions
Review NATO CRMs 3-76 3-42
Initiate Force Activation 3-76 3-43
Coordinate National Offers and Request Forces 3-77 3-44
Activate Enabling Forces for Pre-Deployment 3-78 3-45
Appreciate Force Contributions and Balance the Force
3-79 3-46
Package
Coordinate Integration of Non-NATO Forces 3-80 3-47
Integrate Forces with OPLAN Development 3-81 3-48
Activate Forces for Deployment 3-82 3-49

Strategic OPLAN Development
Initiate Strategic OPLAN Development 3-85 3-50
Develop International Legal Arrangements 3-90 3-51
Synchronise Military and non-Military Activities within a
3-91 3-52
Comprehensive Approach
Plan the Employment of Strategic Resources 3-91 3-53
Plan StratCom 3-93 3-54
Plan for Command and Control 3-95 3-55
Plan for Strategic Operations Assessment 3-96 3-56
Plan Force Preparation and Sustainment 3-97 3-57
Plan for Force Deployment 3-99 3-58
Plan Force Protection 3-102 3-59
Review of Draft Operational OPLAN 3-103 3-60
Coordinate and Submit Strategic OPLAN 3-104 3-61

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SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARA.

Promulgate Approved Strategic OPLAN and Seek
3-104 3-62
Operational OPLAN Approval

PHASE 5 - EXECUTION

Introduction 3-106 3-63
Considerations for Execution 3-108 3-64

PHASE 6 - TRANSITION

Introduction 3-110 3-65
Considerations for Transition and Termination 3-112 3-66

CHAPTER 4 - OPERATIONAL LEVEL

Introduction 4-1 4-1
Operational Process and Products 4-1 4-2
Role of the Commander 4-2 4-3
Organisation for Operational Planning and Execution 4-3 4-4

PHASE 1 - INITIAL SITUATION AWARENESS OF A

POTENTIAL/ACTUAL CRISIS

Section 1 - General
Introduction 4-5 4-5

Section 2 - Process
Appreciate Indication of a Potential/Actual Crisis 4-09 4-6
Initiate CPOE 4-10 4-7
Develop Initial Understanding of, and Monitor, the
4-10 4-8
Emerging Crisis
Support Development of Initial Strategic Military Advice 4-12 4-9

PHASE 2 - OPERATIONAL APPRECIATION OF THE STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT

Section 1 - General
Introduction 4-13 4-10

Section 2 - Process

Step 1 - Appreciation of SACEUR’s Strategic

Assessment
Initiate an Operational Level Appreciation of the Crisis 4-16 4-11
Appreciation of the Strategic Context of the Crisis 4-18 4-12
Appreciate the Level and Scope of International
4-21 4-13
Engagement

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SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARA.

Appreciate Implications for NATO 4-22 4-14
Appreciate Strategic Military Considerations 4-22 4-15
Brief Commander on SSA Appreciation 4-23 4-16

Step 2 - Operational Advice on Military Response

Options
Assist SHAPE during Military Response Option
4-24 4-17
Development
Commander’s Guidance for MRO Analysis 4-24 4-18
Analyse Draft Military Response Options 4-25 4-19
Evaluation of MROs 4-29 4-20
Develop Conclusions 4-30 4-21
Provide Operational Advice 4-31 4-22

PHASE 3 - OPERATIONAL ESTIMATE

Section 1 - General
Introduction 4-32 4-23

Section 2 - Process

Phase 3A - Mission Analysis
Initiate Mission Analysis 4-37 4-24
Framing the Operational Level Problem 4-39 4-25
Analyse the Mission 4-42 4-26
The Operational Design 4-52 4-27
Estimate Initial Force/Capability and C2 Requirements 4-57 4-28
Review Critical Operational Requirements 4-59 4-29
Plan and Conduct the Mission Analysis Briefing 4-59 4-30
Issue Operational Planning Guidance 4-61 4-31
Develop and Submit Requests to SHAPE 4-62 4-32
Plan and Conduct the Commander’s Theatre
4-62 4-33
Reconnaissance

Phase 3B - Courses of Action Development
Prepare for Courses of Action Development 4-63 4-34
Develop Own COAs 4-65 4-35
Analyse COAs 4-71 4-36
Compare COAs 4-75 4-37
Plan and Conduct COA Decision Briefing 4-76 4-38
Refine Selected COA 4-77 4-39
Issue Operational Planning Directive 4-77 4-40

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SUBJECT PAGE(S) PARA.

PHASE 4 - OPERATIONAL PLAN DEVELOPMENT

Phase 4A - Operational CONOPS Development

Section 1 - General
Introduction 4-78 4-41

Section 2 - Process
Initiate Operational CONOPS Development 4-82 4-42
Development of the Operational CONOPS 4-83 4-43
Develop Coordinating Instructions 4-84 4-44
Describe the Concept for Service Support 4-85 4-45
Describe Concept for Command and Control and
4-85 4-46
Communications Information Systems
Development of Operational CONOPS Annexes 4-86 4-47
Develop Operational Requirements 4-87 4-48
Review of Draft Component CONOPS 4-90 4-49
Coordinate and Submit Draft Operational CONOPS 4-90 4-50
Assist the RDG in Finalizing the Strategic CONOPS 4-91 4-51

Phase 4B - Operational OPLAN Development

Section 1 - General
Introduction 4-92 4-52

Section 2 - Process
Initiate Operational OPLAN Development 4-96 4-53
SACEUR Approval of Operational CONOPS 4-99 4-54
Plan for the Employment of Operational Forces 4-99 4-55
Plan for Command and Control 4-101 4-56
Plan Force Preparation and Sustainment 4-103 4-57
Plan for Force Deployment 4-105 4-58
Plan Force Protection 4-107 4-59
Coordinate Operational OPLAN for Approval and
4-109 4-60
Handover

PHASE 5 - EXECUTION

Introduction 4-111 4-61
Considerations for Execution 4-112 4-62
Execution and the Operational Estimate 4-115 4-63
Operations Assessment and the Operational Estimate 4-117 4-64

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