MLF

MLF is an acronym that can refer to several distinct concepts depending on context. Two widely cited uses are in defense policy and in Chinese monetary policy.

Multilateral Force: A proposed NATO naval force conceived in the late 1950s and discussed through the early 1960s. The plan envisioned a jointly staffed fleet of ships owned by member states and assigned to NATO, with custody of assigned nuclear weapons and a unified command structure. The proposal faced concerns about national control and alliance cohesion and was never implemented; it nevertheless influenced subsequent debates on nuclear sharing and alliance governance.

Medium-term Lending Facility: A monetary policy instrument of the People's Bank of China introduced in 2014 to provide medium-term liquidity to financial institutions. MLF operations typically involve loans with maturities ranging from three months to one year and are used to steer liquidity conditions and influence the benchmark loan prime rate (LPR). The instrument complements reserve requirement tools and open market operations.

Other uses: Because acronyms vary by context, MLF may appear in other fields as shorthand for different terms within specific organizations or projects. In practice, readers should rely on surrounding context to determine the intended meaning.