Successful Counter-IED
Maj. Frank Tordeur, BE A
( Safety & Security International , III/2008 )
The proliferation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) as an asymmetrical tactic in current and future conflicts presents a significant threat to NATO forces. These treacherous and effective weapons are used by terrorists, insurgents, non-state actors and criminals to maim, kill and invoke fear. IEDs can range in size from milk cartoons to jet airliners and anything in between. They can be fabricated using almost any type of material and initiator. IEDs can utilize commercial or military explosives, homemade explosives, or military ordnance and ordnance components. The low cost, low probability of detection, availability of materials and, effectiveness have made IEDs a weapon of choice for forces around the globe choosing to conduct violent asymmetrical actions.
The IED threat is evolving quickly. The potential for innovation and sophistication is still high and the Internet facilitates the extension of knowledge and available skills.
The efforts in defeating IEDs are too often concentrated on the device itself. However, the IED is only one form of attack that the enemy may use as part of a more complex attack. The IED is merely the end product of a complex set of enemy activities. An IED attack is the result of a planned operation with several key elements that work in a coordinated and synchronized manner to attain a desired result. The results can have operational and/or strategic impacts, not solely because of the military value of the target, but also because of their psychological impact on the affected people, the local population, the world community, and political leaders.
The IED needs to be addressed not only as a device but also in the context of a system comprising social, human, and technological aspects. It is vital for law enforcement agencies to have a holistic understanding of the requirements of an IED attack. Successful Counter-IED begins with a thorough analysis of the opponent and the common activities associated with an IED attack. These activities like leadership, planning, financing, IED designers, material procurement, bomb making, target selection, recruiting, and attack execution should be targeted by the operational level of command to identify vulnerabilities, which can be exploited to break the operational chain of events of the opponent.
Collective efforts like policy; resources; material; technology; tactics, techniques, procedures (TTPs); training; operations (including force protection, explosive detection, EOD/ IEDD, Route Clearance, search, countermeasures, direct action, information, strategic communications, etc); intelligence (cohesive persistent surveillance, analysis, assessment, etc; ) and research are directed at dismantling the IED network and disrupting IED event chain, neutralizing the effects of the device, and developing Counter-IED capabilities within Police and Security Forces.
IED Defeat Strategy
The IED Defeat Strategy is based on the following three key principles, each with its complementary functions and counter-IED operations to be conducted:
1. Defeating the IED system;
2. Defeating the IED device;
3. Training and Education.
Law Enforcement Agencies must develop and implement each of the capabilities related to these pillars concurrently to keep pace with the threat. Military speaking Counter-IED operations consist of activities undertaken at the political, strategic, operational and tactical level, Information Operations, Psychological Operations, Electronic Warfare, Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JISR), Forensic Exploitation, Stand-off Detection, Operations Security, EOD Operations and Force Protection measures, as well as protecting populations in accordance with the mission.
Defeating the IED System
Defeating the IED system focuses on the adversaries/opponents and involves proactive
activities undertaken at the political, strategic, operational and tactical level intended to disrupt the system. The aim of defeating the system is to eliminate the ability and will to construct and employ IEDs. Activities here include information operations campaigns, stopping individuals from joining the adversaries/opponents, interdicting the IED re-supply apparatus, apprehending actors, and encouraging external pressure to stop the use of IEDs.
Defeating the Device
Defeating the IED device(s) consists mainly of operational and tactical actions, which are focused on the preventing the emplacement, detonation, and mitigation of effects within the operational areas.
Training and Education (T&E)
T &E is the third pillar of the defeat strategy.
Without a clear understanding of the "who, what, when, where and why" of the threat and means available to defeat it, Police Forces are unlikely to be able to adequately address the IED threat in the short or long term. Within this context, integration of the lessons learned process is essential. The C-IED T &E minimum standards shall ensure that designated Police Forces possess the basic abilities to successfully conduct C-IED operations. IED events are currently the "Number One Killer" of all forces in theatre, but, it has been demonstrated that, well trained forces can counter/avoid 75% of IED incidents/events. Therefore, C-IED training needs to be integrated into the curriculum Police Forces Education and Training facilities.
On the other hand, C-IED education should be designed to address a much larger audience and be more general in nature .
( Maj. Frank Tordeur, BE A, is at the Capability Development Division, NATO Joint Warfare Centre. )