Reliability of Fuel Supply Chains During Military Operations – Case Study

Abstract

The logistics structure of military factions engaged in combat operations should be organized following the guidelines in the NATO Directive MC 319/2. The “mixed variant” of material logistics is the most frequently applied approach, which blends several strategies, such as outsourcing, establishing a Multinational Integrated Logistic Unit (MILU), appointing a Lead Nation (L.N.) and a Role Specialist Nation (RSN), formalizing Mutual Support Agreements (MSA), or engaging Third Party Logistic Support Services (TPLSS). This piece details the findings from original research on the fuel logistics system during the Afghan conflict. The authors discuss the risk zones significantly influencing the logistics chain’s successful functioning. The investigation concludes with assessing the fuel supply chain’s reliability using the FMECA technique (Failure Mode Effects and Criticality Analysis).