British Army Field Manual Volume 1 Part 10 - Countering Insurgency - October 2009

Oct 22, 2026

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British Army Field Manual Volume 1 Part 10, Countering Insurgency (Army Code 71876, October 2009), provides a focused guide to insurgency and the principles and approaches used to counter it. The manual emphasizes tactical-level planning and operations that secure the local population and build sustained popular support, highlighting that counterinsurgency is as much a political struggle of competing wills as a military effort. It also explains the doctrine’s role in commanders’ understanding, readiness, and practical application, while noting its adaptability over time.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages278

Reading Time11 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Part A – The Fundamentals

Chapter 1 – Introduction

Section 1 The Basics

Section 2 Definitions

Section 3 Operating Within A Sovereign Nation

Section 4 The Psychological Dimension

Section 5 Enduring Characteristics

Section 6 Building Host Nation Capacity and Capabilities

Section 7 Countering Insurgency

Section 8 The Importance of T

British Army Field Manual Volume 1 Part 10 Countering Insurgency Army Code 71876 October 2009 Copyright This work is Crown copyright and the intellectual property rights for this publication belong exclusively to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) . No material or information contained in this publication should be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form outside MOD establishments except as authorised by both the sponsor and the MOD where appropriate. Security This document is issued for the information of such persons who need to know its contents in the course of their official duties. Any person finding this document should hand it into a British Forces unit or to a British police station for its safe return to the Ministry of Defence, D MOD Sy, LONDON, SW1A 2HB, with particulars of how and where found. THE UNAUTHORIZED RETENTION OR DESTRUCTION OF THIS DOCUMENT COULD BE AN OFFENCE UNDER THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACTS OF 1911-1989. Authority This publication is issued under the overall direction of the Chief of the General Staff. It is an MOD Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) . Where issues of health and safety are concerned it takes into account the provisions of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. Status The contents provide clear military information concerning the most up to date experience and best practice available for commandersand troops to use in their operations and training. If you are prosecuted for a breach of health and safety law, and it is proved that you have not followed the relevant provisions of the ACOP, a court may find you criminally liable unless you can show that you have complied with the requirements of health and safety legislation since it is a breach of this legislation which renders a person criminally liable. Breaches or omissions of the ACOP could result in disciplinary action under the provisions of the Army Act. Amendment | Amendment No | Date | Amendment No | Date | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Distribution As directed by Colonel Warfare Development, sponsor of this publication. Development Suggestions for change should be sent to the SO1 Tac Doc Pubs, WARDEV, LWC, Imber Road, Warminster BA12 0DJ. This is an electronic version of the Field Manual. In order to make it easily distributable by electronic means and to allow for efficient printing on standard office equipment the photographs have been removed and many of the diagrams simplified. FOREWORD It is over eight years since the Army last published counterinsurgency doctrine. Much has changed since then. This manual is a short guide to insurgency, and the principles and approaches needed to counter it. It has been written to complement allied and joint doctrine and the authors have been careful to ensure that the principles and framework that are explained in Part A are entirely coherent with those in UK joint doctrine and that of our principal allies, in particular USA, Canada and Australia. For maximum effect Part A should be read as a single continuous narrative while Part B can be read in its constituent chapters. AFM Countering Insurgency describes how the British Army plans and conducts counterinsurgency operations at the tactical level. It explains that efforts must be focused on securing the local population and gaining and maintaining popular support. This is a task for the host nation, its security forces, British forces and our allies, in concert with our partners across government. The doctrine explains why this is not simply a military undertaking but a battle of political wills with a number of lines of operation acting in concert. It is axiomatic that security forces of all types lead in providing an environment sufficiently stable to allow the other instruments of governance can be brought to bear to improve the lives of the local population. Providing effective security is a complex, dangerous, and bloody business; it takes time

FAQs

What is the core purpose of AFM Countering Insurgency?

It describes how the British Army plans and conducts counterinsurgency operations at the tactical level. It focuses on securing the local population and gaining and maintaining popular support.

Why is counterinsurgency not only a military undertaking?

The doctrine frames it as a battle of political wills that requires multiple lines of operation acting together. Security efforts are presented as enabling governance instruments to improve local lives.

How should commanders use doctrine from this manual?

The manual states that doctrine must be read and understood to build operational understanding. It also stresses pragmatism and the use of experience and judgement to adapt to specific circumstances.

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by Đào