Small but not Beautiful

Alternative military defence can be regarded both as a concept for a general change in military structures and as a possible strategy for small and medium-size countries. The general concept is vague and far away from any political implementation. Several models of alternative military defence have been discussed for small and medium-size countries, mainly in Europe. Of these, a high technology territorial defence appears to offer an optimal compromise between a defensive deterrence and the abandonment of elements that could be regarded as provocative. The article investigates the possibilities to implement a high-technology defence, with the operational task to absorb an attack by offensive forces of a super-power. The basic principles for such a defence must be to avoid the main capacity of these forces, their weapon systems, intelligence systems and electronic warfare systems. PGM technology has created some opportunities for this model, but also for new offensive systems. A continuous development of systems adapted to territorial defence is therefore a necessity. The idea of small independent units is hardly feasible in this context. The organization of defence must be dispersed and decentralized but still coordinated in very deep defensive zones. The model therefore can only be employed by a well-trained and professionally led citizen army.