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National Armies and NATO, 1949-1991
The Burden of Alliance
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Edited by:
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2026
About this book
For almost half a century, NATO’s armies deterred a Soviet attack on Western Europe. Today, they once again provide a check on Russia's revanchist agenda. As in the Cold War, if Russia’s aggression escalates to armed conflict, the Alliance’s armies will likely bear the brunt of the fighting. Thus, a study of the national armies that comprised NATO during the Cold War has both historical and current relevance. Each chapter offers an analysis of how the respective constituent NATO army balanced its commitments to the alliance with other, often more pressing national priorities. Both individually and collectively, these chapters address questions that are still important today. How did national armies benefit from membership in NATO, and how did NATO membership impede their national obligations? How did NATO membership effect its constituent armies’ strategy, force structure, doctrine, and procurement? How did national armies reconcile disagreements with other national forces, some of which long predated NATO membership? By providing a comparative study of NATO’s armies, this volume provides both a long-needed historical assessment and essential understanding of the problems facing the alliance and its members today.
Author / Editor information
Contributor: Jan Hoffenaar
Jan Hoffenaar is Head, Research Department of the Netherlands Institute of Military History (MOD) in The Hague, and professor in Military History at Utrecht University. He is specialized in the political and military aspects of the Cold War, in 'East' as well as in 'West', and in Dutch military history.
--- Contributor: Brian McAllister LinnBrian McAllister Linn is the Ralph R. Thomas Professor in Liberal Arts at Texas A&M University. He is the author of six books including Real Soldiering: The US Army in the Aftermath of War, 1815-1980 (2023) and over fifty articles and book chapters.
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Frontmatter
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Table of Contents
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Introduction
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The Canadian Army and NATO, 1949–1993
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All shape and no arms? The Danish Army and NATO, 1949–1989
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In the shadow of the ‘force de frappe’. The French army and NATO in the Cold War
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The Federal Republic of Germany, the Bundeswehr, and NATO 1955–1990
87 -
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The Hellenic Army and NATO, 1952–1991
109 -
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The Royal Netherlands Army and NATO, 1949–1991
133 -
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An Era of Conflicting Commitments . Portugal’s Force Planning during the Cold War
151 -
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Spain and NATO during the Cold War
167 -
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A Delicate Balance between NATO and Domestic Commitments : The Turkish Military Agenda During the Cold War
185 -
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The British Army and NATO
207 -
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The US Army and NATO
225 -
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Abbreviations
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About the authors
249 -
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Acknowledgements
251 -
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Index
253
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
December 12, 2025
eBook ISBN:
9789400605237
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook ISBN:
9789400605237
Audience(s) for this book
For an expert adult audience, including professional development and academic research
