The Military Committee is charged with the direction of
a number of NATO military agencies. These include:
79. The Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and
Development (AGARD)
The Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Devel-
opment (AGARD) was formed in 1952 and became an
agency under the Military Committee in 1966. Its task is
to foster and improve the interchange of information
relating to aerospace research and development between
the NATO nations in order to ensure that the advances
made by one nation are available to the others. AGARD
also provides scientific and technical advice and assistance
to the NATO Military Committee in the field of aerospace
research and development, with particular regard to mili-
tary applications. The Headquarters of AGARD is located
in Paris.
80. The Military Agency for Standardization (MAS)
Organised in London in 1951, the MAS is the principal
military agency for standardization within NATO. Its pur-
pose is to facilitate operational, procedural and materiel
standardization among member nations to enable NATO
forces to operate together in the most effective manner.
Cooperation between the international technical expert
groups and the agency in regard to defence equipment is
effected through the NATO Standardization Group and
by liaison with the International Staff and the Inter-
national Military Staff. Since January 1970 the MAS has
been housed within NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
81. The NATO Electronic Warfare Advisory Committee
(NEWAC)
NEWAC was established in 1966 to support the Military
Committee, the Major NATO Commanders (MNCs) and
the nations by acting as a specialist multinational body
to promote on a tri-service basis an effective NATO elec-
tronic warfare capability. It monitors national and MNC
progress in implementing measures which improve
NATO's electronic warfare capabilities. NEWAC is
composed of representatives of each NATO country
and of the MNCs. The Chairman of the Committee and
the Secretary are permanently assigned to the
Operations Division of the International Military Staff
(IMS).
82. THE EURO/NATO Training Group
Responsibility within NATO for consolidation of training
on a multinational basis is vested in the EURO/NATO
Training Group (ENTG). The Group's objectives are to
improve and expand existing, and to initiate new, multi-
national training arrangements between member nations.
The ENTG reports to the NATO Military Committee
and to the EUROGROUP.
83. The Military Committee Meteorological Group
(MCMG)
The task of the MCMG is to advise the Military Committee
on meteorological matters affecting NATO and to make
appropriate recommendations. The MCMG also acts as
the coordinating agency of the Military Committee for
all military meteorological policies, procedures and tech-
niques within NATO.
84. Military Telecommunications and CIS Agencies
Six specialised Military Telecommunications and Commu-
nications and Information Systems (CIS) Agencies provide
the Military Committee with expert technical advice on
military matters within their own fields of competence.
These are:
- Allied Communications and Computer Security
Agency (ACCSA).
- Allied Long Lines Agency (ALLA).
- Allied Radio Frequency Agency (ARFA).
- Allied Tactical Communications Agency (ATCA).
- Allied Data Systems Interoperability Agency (ADSIA).
- Allied Naval Communications Agency (ANCA).
The permanent staffs of these bodies, with the excep-
tion of ANCA staff located in London, are drawn from the
NATO International Military Staff and are collocated in
Brussels.
In addition, the Military Committee is advised on CIS
matters by the NATO CIS Committee (NACISC) which
also reports to the North Atlantic Council and Defence
Planning Committee. The NACISC is assisted in its work
by the Communications Systems Working Group (CSWG)
and Information Systems Working Group (ISWG).
85. The SHAPE Technical Centre
The SHAPE Technical Centre is an international military
organisation under the policy direction of the Supreme
Allied Commander Europe. Its task is to provide scientific
and technical advice and assistance to SHAPE and to
undertake research, studies, investigations, development
projects and operational tests for Allied Command
Europe. Initially limited to air defence problems, its scope
was widened in 1963 to cover all military matters pertain-
ing to Allied Command Europe.
Its current programme is directed in particular towards
three major areas of concern to Allied Command Europe:
force capability and force structure, including the effects
of new weapons technology; command and control, in-
cluding application of automated data processing; and
communications, including concept formulation, systems
engineering and operations support.
86. The SACLANT Undersea Research Centre
The SACLANT Undersea Research Centre was commis-
sioned in 1959 at La Spezia, Italy and formally became a
NATO military organisation in 1963. The task of the
Centre is to provide scientific and technical advice and
assistance to SACLANT in the field of anti-submarine war-
fare and mine countermeasures. The Centre carries out
research and limited development (but not engineering or
manufacturing) in these fields, including oceanography,
operational research and analysis, advisory and consul-
tancy work; and exploratory research. In July 1986, under
the auspices of SACLANTCEN, the first ship to be funded
jointly by NATO countries, the 3,200-ton undersea re-
search vessel ALLIANCE, was officially launched at La
Spezia. The ship became operational in May 1988.
87. The NATO Defense College
The NATO Defense College was established in 1951 in
Paris and moved to Rome in 1966. Under the direction
of the Military Committee, assisted by an independent
Advisory Board, the College provides courses for officers
and civilian officials from member countries expected to
be appointed to key posts within NATO or in their national
administrations. Since 1991 provision has also been made
for participation in courses at the NATO Defense College
by officers and officials from the Alliance's cooperation
partners. The Commandant of the College is an officer of
at least Lieutenant General rank appointed for a three
year period. The Commandant is assisted by a Faculty
comprising one civilian and two military deputies and at
least eight faculty advisers. Courses include lectures and
discussions, team studies, committee work and instruc-
tional tours to the United States and Canada and to
European member countries. Course requirements in-
clude competence in a specialised field and a thorough
knowledge of English or French.
