Supporting combat operations (logistics)

The type of operation being supported determines the priority of supplies, equipment, and support methods.

Key differences:

• Peacekeeping
  • Low ammunition usage
  • Increased need for medical support and humanitarian supplies
  • Likely requirement for civilian support and transport
• Counter-insurgency
  • Moderate ammunition usage, including launcher resupply
  • Increased focus on IED-related medical support and clearance tasks
  • Continued need for humanitarian support
• Conventional operations
  • High ammunition consumption
  • Frequent medical resupply due to sustained combat
  • Increased need for vehicle repair, rearm, and replacement assets

Supporting considerations:

• Construction requirements
  • Peacekeeping: aid camps and infrastructure
  • Combat operations: operating bases and defensive positions
• Threat levels
  • Low-threat: minimal security requirements
  • Medium-threat: require convoy security and route awareness
  • High-threat: establish protected supply routes and forward positions

The force type being supported determines the type, quantity, and delivery method of logistical support. Each force type has different consumption patterns, mobility constraints, and resupply requirements (see Line infantry force types FM/G377 and Specialist infantry force types FM/G378).

Key considerations:

• Light infantry
  • High demand for small arms ammunition and medical supplies
  • Limited organic transport capacity
  • Require frequent, distributed resupply
• Motorised / protected mobility infantry
  • Increased demand for fuel and vehicle maintenance
  • Require resupply points accessible by vehicles
  • Balance between infantry and vehicle support
• Mechanised / armoured infantry
  • High demand for:
    • Vehicle ammunition
    • Fuel
    • Repair and recovery support
  • Require forward resupply and recovery planning
  • May need replacement vehicles to maintain combat power
• Air mobile / air assault / airborne forces
  • Limited or restricted ground access
  • Depend on air resupply and pre-positioned supplies
  • Require:
    • Landing zones (LZs)
    • Staged supply caches
  • High risk to supply lines and delivery assets
• Specialist force types (e.g. amphibious, littoral, riverine)
  • Require tailored delivery methods (air, sea, or mixed)
  • May operate in logistically restrictive environments
  • Require planning for non-standard supply routes

• Identify all active resupply and support requirements
• Assess the operational impact of each request
• Prioritise support based on mission requirements and urgency
• Allocate available resources to the highest priority tasks
• Reassess priorities as the situation changes

• Identify the receiving element and delivery location
• Confirm required supplies before departure
• Transport supplies using an appropriate route and vehicle
• Deliver supplies at the designated location
• Confirm receipt and report completion of the task