Defence Planning Working Group

Corporate body

Defence Planning Working Group

1963-1967

The DPWG chronological series contains documents on the Defence Planning Working Group.The Defence Planning Working Group (DPWG) sprang from the decision taken by the Council on 2 October 1963 regarding the establishment of NATO force plans (C-M(63)74). In the same document, the Council agreed to constitute itself as the Defence Planning Committee.The DPWG comprised representantives of those nations who wished to be involved, together with representatives of the International Staff, the Standing Group, the Military Committee and the Major NATO Commanders. At its first meeting on 10 October 1963, the Defence Planning Committee drew up "Draft Initial Instructions to the Defence Planning Working Group" (DPC-D(63)2). The Group was then able to start work. Its role was to assist the Defence Planning Committee in implementing C-M(63)74. It was authorized to take initiatives to fill any gaps which might become apparent in the procedure as work progressed. Its work schedule involved close cooperation with the NATO military authorities so as to be able to provide, at any time, information needed on the resources likely to be allocated to the defence effort. The DPWG was tasked with ensuring that all necessary preparatory studies were made. It provided the Defence Planning Committee with the information it required and drew up draft reports which were used by the Committee for its reports to ministers. The DPWG set up the following study groups and specialized sub-groups which were tasked with assisting it in its work: - Economic Sub-Group of the Defence Planning Working Group (1965), under reference DPWG(ECO); - Restricted Sub-Group on Main Issues (1965), under reference DPWG(SG); - South-East Sub-Group (1965), under reference DPWG(SE); - Northern Sub-Group (1965), under reference DPWG(NORTH); - Ad Hoc Working Group on Mobilization or Force Expansion Plans and Potential (1966-67), under reference DPWG(MOB); - Ad Hoc Working Group on the Implications of Various Assumptions Concerning Strategic Warning (1966), under reference DPWG(STRAT WNG).The DPWG discontinued its activities following the withdrawal of France from the Alliance’s integrated military structure in 1966 and the subsequent reorganization of the NATO committee system. From 1 September 1967, the DPWG was replaced by the Defence Review Committee(1) .

DPWG