Britain, the US and NATO LRTNF Modernisation, 1976–1979

Abstract

As detailed in The Sword and the Shield: Britain, America, NATO and Nuclear Weapons 1970–1976, NATO was engaging in a force modernisation process driven by three imperatives.1 As NATO was the main vehicle for British defence policy, NATO strategy invariably impacted on UK decision making. UK conventional forces, especially those in West Germany, in turn bolstered NATO with Britain also offering a `second centre' of nuclear decision within the Alliance. Britain had also long been a key player in the evolution of NATO strategy and in helping to decide force levels. In the controversial debates regarding NATO strategy which would evolve from 1976–1979 Britain would again prove itself a key player.