Abstract
The review of proposals for a conventionalization of the defense of Europe confronts basic conclusions suggested by the ESECS-team (namely enriching the structure of traditional mechanized forces by enhanced options for deep strikes) with three West German concepts (Afheldt, Hannig, Löser) that advocate a gradual change towards a pattern of 'pure' defensivity. Finally, the British report 'Defence without the Bomb' is discussed in a broader political perspective. A cautious evaluation of these proposals indicates that a 'defensive defense' promises pay-offs in terms of crisis stability and prevention of escalation. Moreover, there seem to be respectable arguments that alternative structures might be more in accordance with our increasingly limited resources than a continuation or high-tech version of the current posture.
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