According to our research, as many as 94% of senior defence leaders state that collaboration and information sharing among industry, partners and allies will be critical to success in the future information battlespace. However, that future is already upon us, and it’s fair to say we’re not quite ready for it yet.
A similar figure of 90% also agree there is an urgent need for more seamless information sharing across the five defence domains. But, according to the UN-Secretary General, the existing climate at a global level is combative and too internally focused.
Warnings of a “divide” and “digital Berlin Wall” between countries has been cited, with nations forming their own unique digital and AI strategies guided by separate financial, geopolitical and military views.
In this context, even when information is shared, it’s not necessarily reflective of the full picture. We must be championing information sharing in a transparent and collaborative way.
Mark Fitton, Senior Engineering Sales Manager, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, says: “As we step into the latest evolution of modern conflict… the focus is pivoting from the relentless struggle against terrorism to a new paradigm centred on state-on-state confrontations. This creates a need for a comprehensive re-evaluation of our strategies, tools and approaches.
“Merely sharing information is insufficient. The complexities of the modern battlespace demand a higher standard of integration, cohesion and seamless interoperability to bridge the gaps that have historically impeded swift action. We need to look at information as a dynamic force rather than just a static resource. Information must be timely, actionable, intelligent and available. It doesn’t solely inform but also empowers decision-makers to respond with agility and insight.”
Diversity of tech
At present, no national military has a clear authority to mandate standards across domains, militaries and nations. Each national military is creating its own data sharing and command solutions, often in isolation to other services across land, sea and air; let alone to other ally nations or sectors. Suppliers have been brought in to provide individual bespoke solutions, but until recently, there hasn’t been a drive for industry to coordinate efforts and create common standards.
More ubiquitous guidelines and standards might sound limiting, but they actually create a more stable platform for greater diversity in defence tech. Defence leaders to the tune of 92% have described this need for diversity as ‘non-negotiable’ for resilience.
This diversity of innovation must fall within a Multi-Domain Integration (MDI) framework that encourages the formulation of digital threads for improved open communication across borders and departments. This is what will ensure that accurate, aggregated information gets into the hands of the people who need it most across the defence ecosystem.
At the same time, it will help deliver more diverse technologies that provide decision advantage and shape future military operations.
Achieving decision advantage
The shared communication standards of the internet and open banking could serve as inspiration for the models that need to be put in place in defence moving forwards. More collaborative guidelines would encourage greater tech diversity in areas such as: surveillance and reconnaissance; command and control, communications and computers (C4); and general multi-domain intelligence.
Ultimately, by merging siloes, allies and information through a Multi-Domain Integration model, we can better ensure resilience and diversity in defence. Military, industry, public, private, academia and society working in harmony to channel groundbreaking solutions towards optimal outcomes. An all-of-ecosystem effort.
“We must take an all-of-ecosystem approach to defence, as it harnesses diversity which encourages resilience. Working in siloes will only reveal part of the picture in situations where we need full transparency in order to achieve decision advantage,” confirms Mivy James, Digital Transformation Director, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence.
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