With defence threats now coming from all angles and all domains, it has never been more important for information to flow freely, across those domains, via a digital thread model.
Across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, a resounding 96% of defence and aerospace professionals believe that digitalisation has led to a more dynamic and complex defence landscape. The consensus is clear: the battlespace has changed, and so must they.
If the defence sector is to move to a state where digital capability can maximise opportunities, reduce risk, and deter adversaries, then Saudi Arabia, and indeed the world, must evolve in tandem with the cyber threat being faced. Against the backdrop of such a complex defence situation, that transformation is reliant on an ability to harness the right skills and data.
In a report, Decision-making in the battlespace of the future, 78% of surveyed senior business and IT defence and aerospace decision makers from the region went on to claim that the future battlespace will be an information battlespace. Across this new landscape, there are concerns relating to capability to share insights effectively and securely; being unable to access and leverage information from complementary sources; and defence organisations being unable to come to terms with a multi-domain battlespace.
MDI and digital threads
The notion of Multi-Domain Integration (MDI) is critical, with more than half of KSA and UAE respondents (56%) saying that it will be instrumental in avoiding an increase in cyber warfare, while 40% claimed that if it isn’t adopted, it would lead to a failure in keeping up with the latest forms of warfare – 4% more than the global average. There was almost total consensus across the two countries regarding MDI’s importance in shaping military options; both today (96%), and over the next decade (98%).
The characteristics of not adhering to an MDI model include not being able to make quick or appropriate actions. This derives from a lack of synergy, collaboration or full-ecosystem input. Reclaiming a digital advantage in the multi-domain battlespace requires a complete reverse of those traits, and Saudi Arabia is better positioned than many to realise those more positive attributes.
The country’s Vision 2030 plan is underpinned by progress both in and between industries, government, academia and society more broadly. This should align perfectly with the concept of a digital thread model which can help to achieve true MDI.
The notion of a digital thread relies on relevant parties generating, sharing, analysing and benefitting from data as a connected ecosystem. It focuses on ensuring that each individual player has the capacity to innovate where they’re best; thanks to data, insight and ideas that are being contributed from others.
Reclaiming decision advantage
With future battles being fought across multiple domains and with cyber playing an increasingly significant role in that landscape, this merging of intelligence and specialty is the only way to keep ahead of adversaries.
Indeed, more than half (52%) in the region agree with this need to collaborate across military departments, and 48% cited integrated technology development as a key area for the defence ecosystem to channel future efforts.
Ultimately, by working together to create and extract optimum potential from digital threads, the defence sector will be able to make better decisions, at the right time, and to reclaim a critical advantage in the digital age.
Seamless data flow for the good of the region
When asked what constitutes success when it comes to MDI in defence, respondents from Saudi Arabia and counterparts in the UAE pointed to system interoperability (94%), more diverse defence technology ecosystems (86%), connecting the deployed battlespace (44%), AI and ML for improved situational awareness and decision making (52%), and using data to improve operational readiness (66%).
This latter focus area aligns with a global need to use data more intelligently. This intelligence points towards a digital thread model where information flows seamlessly thanks to trust, transparency and connected technologies across key domains. The new information battlespace means potential attacks from all angles, through both physical and cyber channels. To meet that threat head on, there must be a similarly holistic approach to defence.
In Saudi Arabia, 90% believe that MDI is essential to ensuring that their defence ambitions match the innovation and blue-sky thinking of their Vision 2030 strategy. This should now usher in a period of weaving digital threads, forming connections, trusting partners within secure, shared platforms, and bringing together different sources of information for the good of the region.