ABSTRACT
The lack of standardisation inside NATO has long been a cause for concern amongst its military commanders, but it is only recently that the NATO Council has come to realise its vital importance. Standardisation is a word which has been bandied around NATO circles now for over 25 years with little or nothing being done about it. Full standardisation would mean that all NATO forces would use the same weapons, ammunition, aircraft, vehicles, equipments, communications, procedures and stores. Arrangements have also been made for the standardisation of ammunition for field and tank guns. To avoid having to buy American the Eurogroup has been formed and is charged with trying to effect some form of standardisation amongst the European nations only. It follows from this that full standardisation cannot be brought in overnight. It must start at the beginning with the initial research and development.
