NATO Air Defence

It encompasses a network of interconnected systems to detect, track and identify airborne objects, and - if necessary - to intercept them using maritime, ground-based or airborne weapons systems.

What does this mean in practice?

• Air policing
• Missile Defence
• The Air Command and Control System (ACCS)
• Cooperation with Partners

How did it evolve?

In the 1970s, NATO nations participating in the military structure realised that individual air defence systems operating independently could not effectively protect NATO and national airspace. Therefore, they started working together to establish a structure able to overcome this deficiency. Combining national assets supplemented as necessary by NATO elements, an integrated air defence structure and system was organised under the command and control of SACEUR.

The NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS) comprises sensors, command and control facilities and weapons systems such as ground-based air defence or fighter aircraft. Some of these systems are, even in peacetime, under the operational command of SACEUR. NATINADS has been and remains a cornerstone of Alliance’s solidarity and cohesion.

Which NATO bodies have a central role?

The NATO Air Defence Committee is the senior multinational policy advisory and coordinating body regarding all elements of NATO air defence and relevant air power aspects. It reports directly to the North Atlantic Council or the Defence Planning Committee. It is supported by its Panel on Air Defence with working groups and the Air Defence Representatives (ADREPS) forum.

The Military Committee Working Group (Air Defence) is responsible for reviewing, advising and making recommendations to the Military Committee on air defence issues which affect the NATO Integrated Air Defence System.

Other groups dealing with air defence related issues include the Executive Working Group (Reinforced) with particular responsibilities on missile defence, the Missile Defence Project Group, which oversees the ALTBMD Programme Office, and the NATO Russia Council Ad Hoc Working Group on Theatre Missile Defence.