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The Committee’s principal role is to provide direction and advice on military policy and strategy. It is responsible for recommending to NATO's political authorities those measures considered necessary for the common defence of the NATO area and for the implementation of decisions regarding NATO’s operations and missions.
The Military Committee’s advice is sought as a matter of course prior to authorisation by the North Atlantic Council – the Alliance’s principal decision-making body - or Defence Planning Committee of NATO military activities or operations.
It thus represents an essential link between the political decision-making process and the military structure of NATO and is an integral part of the decision-making process of the Alliance.
The Military Committee also plays a key role in the development of NATO’s military policy and doctrine within the framework of discussions in the Council, the Defence Planning Committee, the Nuclear Planning Group and other senior bodies. It is responsible for providing military guidance to NATO’s two Strategic Commanders – Supreme Allied Commander Operations and Supreme Allied Commander Transformation.
In this context, the Committee assists in developing overall strategic concepts for the Alliance and prepares an annual long-term assessment of the strength and capabilities of countries and areas posing a risk to NATO's interests.
In times of crises, tension or war, and in relation to military operations undertaken by the Alliance such as its role in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Afghanistan, its role is to advise the Council or Defence Planning Committee of the military situation and its implications, and to make recommendations on the use of military force, the implementation of contingency plans and the development of appropriate rules of engagement.
It is also responsible for the efficient operation of agencies subordinate to the Military Committee.
