ARRC JOURNAL
Centre of Gravity analysis reveals
strengths (CRs) and weaknesses (CVs)
of an adversary. In this way the concept of
CoG contributes to how the commander
of the JTF can accomplish his mission.
The commander has to choose how he
can approach and ‘neutralise’ the CoG:
He can adopt either a direct or indirect
approach (Figure 15). 33
• A
direct approach attacks an
adversary’s COG by applying combat
power directly against it. This approach
is selected when the JTF possesses
superior forces, a qualitative advantage
in leadership and/or technological
superiority over an adversary’s weapon
systems.
• However, COGs are normally well
protected and not vulnerable to a
direct approach. Thus, the commander
usually chooses an indirect approach
and attacks CVs that lead to the
defeat of the COG, while avoiding
enemy strengths. The identified CRs
and CVs can be potential DCs in the
Operational Design (Ops Design). If
a direct approach is not a reasonable
solution, the JTF should consider an
indirect approach until conditions are
established that permit successful
direct attacks. In addition, the JTF can
plan simultaneous and/or synchronised
actions, following both direct and
indirect approaches.
Note: At the operational level, an indirect
approach includes a series of attacks
against selected aspects of an adversary’s
combat power, aiming to divide its
forces, destroy its reserves or other force
elements, prevent or hinder the deployment
of its major forces or reinforcements into
the Joint Operations Area (JOA). This
kind of approach could entail reducing
an
adversary’s
operational
reach,
disrupting its Command and Control (C2)
structure and destroying or suppressing
key protection functions such as air
defence. Moreover, in counterinsurgency
operations (COIN), an indirect approach
could enable a legitimate and capable local
partner to address the conflict’s causes
and to provide security, good governance
and economic development.
Figure 15 – Direct and Indirect Approach
• Defeat Mechanisms: Defeat mechanisms primarily apply in combat operations
against an active adversary, aiming to defeat its armed forces. There are two main
types of defeat mechanisms: Attrition and disruption (Figure 16).
Figure 16 – Defeat Mechanisms
• Stability Mechanisms: Stability mechanisms are the primary methods through which
friendly forces can affect civilians in order to attain conditions (DCs) that support
establishing a lasting, stable peace. Combinations of stability mechanisms produce
complementary and reinforcing effects rather than a single mechanism in isolation.
They apply mainly to stability operations and include four types of mechanisms:
Compel, control, influence, and support (Figure 17).
Additionally, the CoG analysis can be
a useful planning tool in describing
the OEs that are needed to solve an
operational problem through the ‘defeat’
and ‘stability’ mechanisms. 34
Figure 17 – Stability Mechanisms
33 JP 5-0, Ibid, IV-33, 34.
34 JP 5-0, Ibid, IV-31, 34.
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