The cost of a military operation: A criterion approach

Abstract

The purpose of the armed forces is to carry out their assigned missions and tasks through a wide range of operations, which may be combat and non-combat ones. The doctrinal theory of the Serbian Armed Forces has redefined the concept of operations. This has greatly contributed to an easier approach to the evaluation of operations through their cost price. In the world there is no single model of calculating the cost of a military operation, which would apply to all types of operations prepared and executed by the military. This paper discusses four criterion approaches to calculating the cost of a military operation, as follows: (1) using the operation factors, as identified by Operations Doctrine, (2) using the phases of operation, and (3) using the standards set by the EU for calculating the costs of peacekeeping missions and operations, and (4) experiences of the US Armed Forces.

Keywords

• military operations
• factors of military operations
• phases of a military operation
• eu standards for peacekeeping missions and operations
• military operation cost