NATO’s New Force Model and Partner Engagement in an Evolving Security Landscape

Khayal Iskandarov; Piotr Gawliczek; Mahammad Akbarov

doi:10.33445/sds.2025.15.2.1

Khayal Iskandarov War College of the Armed Forces https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8975-6530
Piotr Gawliczek University of Warmia and Mazury https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0462-1168
Mahammad Akbarov War College of the Armed Forces https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6863-9707

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33445/sds.2025.15.2.1

Keywords: NATO, transformation, New Force Model, Old Force Model, NRF, ARF, PAF-N, partner

Abstract

Purpose: is to justify the importance of partner engagement in the new model against the backdrop of ever-changing security environment. The hypothesis of the paper is that partner engagement plays a crucial role in ensuring the effectiveness of NFM within the evolving security environment. The paper tries to find answers to the following research questions: 1. What role do NATO’s partners play in the New Force Model, and why is their engagement important? 2. What benefits and challenges do partner nations face when engaging with NATO under the NFM?

Method: Qualitative research methods, such as Comparative Analysis, Synthesis and Case Studies.

Theoretical implications: The theoretical implications of this paper lie in its contribution to the broader discourse on alliance dynamics, military interoperability, and cooperative security frameworks. By examining partner engagement within NATO's NFM, the study enhances our understanding of how non-member states contribute to and benefit from NATO’s partnership initiatives. The paper bridges gaps in the literature by addressing the underexplored aspects of partner engagement within the NFM. It offers a foundation for future research on the role of partnerships in NATO’s NFM in an increasingly complex and unpredictable global landscape.

Practical implications: The practical implications of this paper extend to policymaking, military strategy, and international security cooperation. By analyzing partner engagement within NATO's NFM, the study provides insights that can guide NATO and its partner nations in enhancing collaboration, interoperability, and strategic alignment. The study can serve as a reference for defense planners and decision-makers by identifying best practices for military cooperation and joint operational readiness.

Paper type: theoretical.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Andrews, D. (2024). Improving NATO’s Out-Partnering Function in Alliances and Partnerships in a Complex and Challenging Security Environment, R. Karp & R. W. Maass (Eds.). SACT NATO HQ, pp. 169-177. Available at: https://www.act.nato.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NATO-AC24-Compendium.pdf (Accessed: January 31, 2025).

Biscop, S. (2022, September). The New Force Model: NATO’s European army? (Egmont Policy Brief No. 285). Egmont Institute. Available at: https://www.egmontinstitute.be/app/uploads/2022/09/Sven-Biscop_PolicyBrief285_vFinal.pdf (Accessed: February 11, 2025).

Blessing, J., Elgin, K. K., & Ewers Peters, N. M. (Eds.). (2021). NATO 2030: Towards a new strategic concept and beyond. Foreign Policy Institute / Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs, Johns Hopkins University SAIS. Available at: https://sais.jhu.edu/sites/default/files/NATO2030AndBeyondAccessibleVersion.pdf (Accessed: January 11, 2025).

Bosica, J.M. (2024). NATO’s new force model: A watershed step for the alliance’s deterrence, defence and crisis management missions in a complex Euro-Atlantic security landscape. Atlantic Forum. Available at: https://www.atlantic-forum.com/atlantica/natos-new-force-model-a-watershed-step-for-the-alliances-deterrence-defence-and-crisis-management-missions-in-a-complex-euro-atlantic-security-landscape. (Accessed: January 20, 2025).

Deni, J.R. (2024). The new NATO force model: Ready for launch? NATO Defense College. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep60400 (Accessed: January 30, 2025).

Duffield, J. S. (1994). NATO’s Functions after the Cold War. Political Science Quarterly, 109(5), pp. 763–787. doi: https://doi.org/10.2307/2152531

Edelman, E. S., Manning, D., & Miller, F. C. (2024, March 12). NATO's decision process has an Achilles' heel. Atlantic Council. Available at: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/natos-decision-process-has-an-achilles-heel/ (Accessed: February 6, 2025).

Fasola, N. (2024). Reforming and enhancing partnerships to strengthen NATO’s strategic posture. U.S. Army War College. Available at: https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/News/Display/Article/3974674/reforming-and-enhancing-partnerships-to-strengthen-natos-strategic-posture (Accessed: January 13, 2025).

Gilli, A., Gilli, M., Leonard, A.-S., & Stanley-Lockman, Z. (2020). “NATO-mation”: preparing for technological transformation. In “NATO-Mation”: Strategies for Leading in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (pp. 25–28). NATO Defense College. doi: http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep27711.10

Global Firepower. (2024). 2024 military strength ranking: Russia. Available at: https://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.php?country_id=russia.

Hasan, A.H., Iskandarov, K., & Gawliczek, P. (2024). Azerbaijan’s 2023 counterterrorism operation in Karabakh region: causes and consequences. Social Development and Security, 14(3), pp. 1-13. doi: https://doi.org/10.33445/sds.2024.14.3.1.

Hasanov, A.H., Iskandarov, K.I., & Sadiyev, S.S. (2019). The evolution of NATO's cyber security policy and future prospects. Journal of Defense Resources Management, 10(1), pp. 94-106. Available at: https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&u=anon~2949059&id=GALE%7CA629148092&v=2.1&it=r&sid=googleScholar&asid=b1df5f56 (Accessed: January 30, 2025).

Hooker, R.D. (2024). A new NATO command structure. Atlantic Council. Available at: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/A-New-NATO-Command-Structure.pdf (Accessed: January 29, 2025).

Iskandarov, K. (2019a). NATO enlargement vis-a-vis Russian security policy (1999-2019) in Security and Russian threats, pp. 37-70. Uniwersytet Jana Kochanowskiego w Kielcach.

Iskandarov, K. (2019b). The South Caucasus-NATO Cooperation. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing.

Iskandarov, K., & Gawliczek, P. (2018). NATO’s role in improving professional military education with a focus on the south Caucasus countries. The Quarterly Journal, 18(3-4), 35-44. https://doi.org/10.11610/Connections.18.3-4.02

Iskandarov, K., & Gawliczek, P. (2020). The “new great game” in the South Caucasus: competition for power and influence. Social Development and Security, 10(1), pp. 25-33. https://doi.org/10.33445/sds.2020.10.1.4

Iskandarov, K., & Gawliczek, P. (2019). The south Caucasus and NATO’s defence education enhancement programme. Retrospective analysis. Social development and Security, 9(5), pp. 3-14. https://doi.org/10.33445/sds.2019.9.5.1

Iskandarov, K., & Gawliczek, P. (2021). The south Caucasus and NATO’s defence education enhancement programme. The measurement of its effectiveness. Social Development and Security, 11(1), pp. 70-79. https://doi.org/10.33445/sds.2021.11.1.7

Iskandarov, K., Gawliczek, P., Mrozek, J. (2023). NATO’s partnership policy in a dynamic security landscape: A simple look at a complex picture. Olsztyn: Centre for Eastern Europe Research UWM in Olsztyn.

Iskandarov, K., Mammadzada, V., Sadiyev, S. (2019a). Non-Alliance policy as a principle of shaping the national security with a focus on the case of Azerbaijan, Journal of Defense Resources Management, 10:2, pp. 62-72. Available at: https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=812186 (Accessed: February 11, 2025).

Iskandarov, K., Simons, G., & Gawliczek, P. (2019b). The South Caucasus: Stage for a ‘New Great Game’ between NATO and Russia?. Connections: The Quarterly Journal, 18, pp. 3-4. doi: https://doi.org/10.11610/Connections.18.3-4.01.

Monaghan, S., Jakobsen, E., Martinez, S., Droin, M., Sanders, G., Velazquez, N., Cook, C., Dowd, A., & Sockwell, M. (2024). Is NATO ready for war? Center for Strategic and International Studies. Available at: https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2024-06/240611_Monaghan_Ready_War_0.pdf (Accessed: January 26, 2025).

Nasirov, E., & Iskandarov, K. (2017). The prospects of Azerbaijan to enhance military interoperability with NATO. Connections, 16(4), pp. 89-99. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26867928 (Accessed: January 12, 2025).

Palmer, D. A. R. (2019). NATO’s post-Cold War “out-of-area” pivot (1990-2014). In A Strategic Odyssey: Constancy of Purpose and Strategy-Making in NATO, 1949-2019 (pp. 73–90). NATO Defense College. http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep19967.11

Sadiyev, S. & Iskandarov, K. (2018). The evolution of the security environment in the South Caucasus since the end of the Cold War, 17th Workshop of the PfP Consortium Study Group Regional Stability in the South Caucasus, “What a New European Security Deal” could mean for the South Caucasus, 14/2018, pp. 47-53. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/37852657/_What_a_New_European_Security_Deal_could_mean_for_the_South_Caucasus_(Accessed: 01.02.2025).

Shea, J. (2012). Keeping NATO Relevant. Carnegie Moscow Center. doi: http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep26708

Szenes, Z. (2023). Reinforcing deterrence: assessing NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept. Defense & Security Analysis, 39(4), pp. 539–560. https://doi.org/10.1080/14751798.2023.2270230 (Accessed: January 11, 2025).