ABCA Armies

ABCA Armies

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ABCA Armies

ABCA Armies refers to a program aimed at optimizing interoperability between member armies on combined operations. Current membership consists of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

In 1947, the Armies of the United States, Britain and Canada joined into a standardisation agreement as a means of continuing to capitalize on the close cooperation during World War II and to improve standardization. The group became known as the ABC Armies.

In 1963, Australia joined the organization, and on 10 October, 1964, the four member armies signed a new standardization agreement to formally create the current ABCA program. In 1965 New Zealand was granted observer status under Australia's sponsorship. New Zealand became a full member of ABCA in late 2006. http://www.army.mil.nz/at-a-glance/news/army-news/368/orp.htm

Both the US Marine Corps and the UK Royal Marines participate in ABCA through their respective Army's delegation. As a result, all the land forces of the member nations participate.

Historically, the role of ABCA was limited to issues of tactical and soldier equipment standardization. It appears now that the organization is intent on broadening its horizon to include all issues relevant to how an army equips itself and operates in operations. This will place particular focus on interoperability.

Equivalent organizations for the Navy (Australia Canada New Zealand United Kingdom and United States Naval C4 Organization) and Air Forces (Air and Space Interoperability Council) also exist.

Sources

Durrell-Young, Thomas, Cooperative Diffusion through Cultural Similarity: The Postwar Anglo-Saxon Experience in Goldman & Eliason (eds.), The Diffusion of Military Technology and Ideas, Stanford Univ Press, 2003.