A critical reflection on force protection

Jori Pascal Kalkman

Defense & Security Analysis, 2025, vol. 41, issue 2, 301-318

Abstract: Western armed forces have increasingly adopted “force protection” measures to avoid casualties during irregular warfare and peace-support operations. When similar protection measures were introduced in the humanitarian sector to safeguard aid workers, humanitarian action researchers criticised the broader implications of these security measures. Using their findings, it is possible to reflect critically on force protection in a military context. First, force protection may shift risks to vulnerable others, such as less-protected allies, or the local population. Second, force protection may directly upset power relations within the mission’s specific context. Third, force protection results in a deterioration of security intelligence. Fourth, force protection inhibits the development of empathy for allies, local populations, and victims. Fifth, force protection harms soldiers’ morale by exacerbating boredom. This paper concludes that armed forces would do well to assess the various adverse effects of force protection measures.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/14751798.2025.2444714

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