Joint theater of military operations: definition of geografic space

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine the necessary conditions for the establishment of the Theater of Operations for Armed Forces Joint Employment. The investigation was based on literature and documents of national laws, international rules for armed conflicts, doctrinal documents of employment from the Ministry of Defence and the Brazilian Armed Forces. It was found that the establishment of a geographic space was based on a historical evolution in relation to the degree of involvement of forces, logistics capacity, the range of the weapons and the entrance of air and naval assets awarded to the Theater of Operations Command. The National Law on Employment Combat and the military doctrines approach it, but do not specify a method for defining this space. International treaties relating to armed conflict signed by Brazil determine obedience and set conditions for the engagement of military forces within a TO. As a conclusion, to safeguard friendly forces, the definition of a geographical area for the conduct of military operations, after a formal declaration of war, should include as much space inside the enemy territory and within the national territory, shall be large enough to provide fast, non-bureaucratic logistical support and be small enough so that the enemies can be convicted of war crime when attacking targets outside this area.