Battle Field Medical Force – Planning for 21St Century Medical Readiness

The changing face of warfare requires Medical Units to be deployed at a short notice, to the most hostile environment and with all its consequences. In whatever scenarios, medical care must be delivered to the troops to help the commander in the execution of his battle plan. The provision of good medical care is of immense value to the morale of the troops, knowing that they will be looked after if they are sick and wounded. Good medical care act as a combat multiplier, and can determine the consequences of war. Present day war scenarios require Medical units to be fast reacting, highly flexible and able to “deliver a greater medical capability of a higher quality”. The complexity of the battlefield environment and the speed of modern warfare will require an innovative, readily deployable and technologically sophisticated combat medical service. The services provided must be highly responsive and effective across the full spectrum of possible operational scenarios.