Historically, defence organisations have been built on hierarchies, and this remains a key part of military culture today. However, as we move towards an integrated defence ecosystem, there is an urgent requirement to shift from exclusively looking up to also looking, and moving, across domains.
Establishing digital threads across the entire defence estate will be key to enabling a cross-domain information flow within a collaborative culture. Our latest research, which explores the experiences and perceptions of 400 defence and aerospace leaders in the UK, the Nordics, Canada, Australia and the Middle East, corroborates the need for change.
Read the research: Decision making in the battlespace of the future
In the context of digital and cultural transformation in defence, the research looks at the technologies currently adopted by nations in their defence operations. These include:
- Data and intelligence analytics software - 91% of respondents agree their nation is deploying this technology in defence
- AI and machine learning technology - 86% agree
- Battlespace connectivity technology (5G, software-defined radios etc) – 74% agree
- Robotics and automation – 73% agree
- CEMA systems – 72% agree
Multi-Domain Integration (MDI) can help us make the most of this rapid influx of increasingly sophisticated defence technology. As many as 79% of those surveyed confirmed they believe it is key to shaping today’s military operations. The recurring outcry is that, without integration, the ever-growing list of advanced digital solutions will become stranded, siloed and unable to reach their potential.
But what about other benefits?
In addition to reversing this possibility of siloed and disconnected technologies, respondents also pinpointed positive outcomes of Multi-Domain Integration adoption, including:
- Improved situational awareness
- Improved quality of decision making
- Improved preparation for potential warfare
- Increased speed of decision making
- Improved collaboration between military branches, partners and allies
Indeed, when executed properly, Multi-Domain Integration will provide forces with a clear decision advantage, with the establishment of secure digital threads across law enforcement, central government, national security agencies and beyond, leading to a wider intelligence picture, facilitating swift, accurate decision-making in high-pressure defence situations.
Ultimately, it is all about generating a better understanding of the fast-paced, multi-domain battlespace. And while there are still challenges to overcome, Multi-Domain Integration is most certainly off the starting blocks. It is now a case of uniting and collaborating to ensure its success and enhanced adoption moving forward.
A matter of urgency
The UK’s Multi-Domain Integration plan is already taking shape, with strong input from the private sector and SMEs. However, this is a long-term project requiring cultural as well as technological transformation, and the change must be a sustained effort: 82% of respondents agreeing Multi-Domain Integration will be crucial to shaping military options in 10 years time, just as 79% believe the same about its significance today.
The case for Multi-Domain Integration, in this respect, is that it’s not just a nice-to-have solver of future problems, that we should be preparing for now. It is an urgent requirement needed to compete in a modern battlespace dominated by the need for digital connectivity and ultimate decision advantage.
Read our latest report for more on why Multi-Domain Integration is changing the shape of defence, and how we can work together as a defence community to reap its