Army Field Manual I Warfighting Tactics - Part 1 The Fundamentals | i

Preface

The Army Field Manual (AFM) Warfighting Tactics (2018) series comprises five parts (Part 1 The
Fundamentals, Part 2 Corps and Divisional Tactics, Part 3 Brigade Tactics, Part 4 Battlegroup
Tactics and Part 5 Subunit Tactics) is the primary reference for the conduct of warfighting
operations by UK land forces. It replaces AFM Volume 1 Part 1A Divisional Tactics (2014), Part 1B
Brigade Tactics (2012) and Part 2 Battlegroup Tactics (2014).

The AFM Warfighting Tactics series supports and complements ADP Land Operations, the Army’s
capstone doctrine. It accompanies AFM Tactics for Stability Operations to complete the thematic
doctrine for the land domain. Where possible it complements NATO and joint doctrine.

The AFM Warfighting Tactics series provides guidance for the conduct of warfighting at the
corps and divisional, brigade and battlegroup levels of command. It is focused at the tactical
level of war and is consistent with the NATO codification and framework of operations themes,
types of operation and tactical activities. It describes the conduct of combat operations as part
of warfighting, conducting the range of tactical activities. The AFM Warfighting Tactics series is
essential reading for land commanders and headquarters staff.

AFM Warfighting Tactics Part 1: The Fundamentals contains seven chapters:

Chapter 1 - Context for warfighting. Chapter 1 explains the challenges that warfighting
presents to UK forces and the methods by which we may meet them.

Chapter 2 - Warfighting fundamentals. Chapter 2 reminds the reader of the importance

of integrated action, the manoeuvrist approach and mission command.

Chapter 3 - Orchestrating warfighting operations. Chapter 3 reminds the reader of the

importance of orchestrating warfighting operations, and the tools, additional frameworks
and considerations for doing so. Annex A contains comprehensive guidance on the
conduct of deception operations.

Chapter 4 - Offensive activities. Chapter 4 describes offensive activities, comprising the

purpose and principles of each constituent activity, and forms of manoeuvre.

Chapter 5 - Defensive activities. Chapter 5 describes defensive activities, comprising area

and mobile defence, and delay.

Chapter 6 - Stability activities. Chapter 6 describes stability activities, their conduct

during combat operations, and the transition from combat to stability operations.

Chapter 7 - Enabling activities. Chapter 7 describes enabling activities, comprising the

purpose and principles of each constituent activity.

Publication date: July 2018