After three weeks of intense, collaborative testing, CWIX25 officially concluded last week at the Joint Force Training Centre in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
CWIX focuses on digital interoperability – the ability to connect from the very start of any NATO mission – and what must be done to ensure cohesion today, tomorrow, and beyond. CWIX tackles current and future gaps for Command and Control and Information Technology services, and provides a snapshot current capabilities, what is in the pipeline, and what must be done to prepare for NATO’s 2030 ambitions and beyond.
This year’s exercise set new benchmarks for both attendance and impact. Nearly 3,000 technicians, operators, and engineers tested 570+ capabilities and systems – working hand-in-hand with operators to ensure maximum value is delivered to the warfighter. In total, participants conducted more than 25,000 tests across 18 Focus Areas (from Logistics and Medical to Federated Mission Networking) and all five operational domains, illustrating the growing diversity of interoperability challenges and solutions.
In total, 40 Allied and partner nations – including 31 Allies, NATO, the European Union Military Service, and 5 key partner nations (Ukraine, Switzerland, Austria, Moldova, and Georgia) – contributed to this enormous effort. Three observer nations (Ireland, Iraq, and South Korea) were also welcomed at CWIX to learn and network.
CWIX25 Distinguished Visitors Day
NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Admiral Pierre Vandier, hosted 287 Distinguished Visitors from 30 nations and NATO, including 67 from NATO bodies such as Allied Command Operations and NATO Headquarters, Digital Policy Committee members and Military Representatives.
NATO missions demand that forces from multiple nations operate together — on short notice, under pressure, and across domains. Success depends on the seamless integration of Allied capabilities. CWIX delivers that interoperability.
Admiral Pierre Vandier,
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation,
speaking at the CWIX DV Day Press Event
Key Takeaways
- Space
CWIX25 facilitated key progress for Space Domain interoperability. Efforts included raising Space Domain Awareness, refining the Space Picture concept for seamless integration into the Common Operating Picture, and showcasing existing Space tools and data. CWIX facilitates improvements in Space data collection and integration – leveraging national and commercial Space assets – to provide a fuller picture of situational awareness.
- Federated Mission Networking
CWIX25 drove the validation of current and future Federated Mission Networking specifications and achieved significant progress in conformance testing. One example is INSPECT, a near-fielded platform that enables continuous evaluation of systems to ensure they conform to NATO software-based standards. When implemented, INSPECT will run automated conformance checks, enabling 24/7/365 interoperability testing services and earlier exposure of defects. By examining technology still under development, CWIX optimizes resources and testing opportunities.
- Innovation
For the first time, CWIX featured a dedicated space for innovation activities. The “Innovation Sandbox,” a startup-like environment supported in part by the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), fostered rapid experimentation, allowing new and developmental technologies to consider interoperability early in the capability lifecycle.
- Artificial Intelligence
One of several examples of Artificial Intelligence capabilities demonstrated at CWIX is Maven Smart System NATO, recently acquired within NATO’s Allied Command Operations. Maven leverages artificial intelligence – from large language models to generative and machine learning – to improve situational awareness.
- Communications
NATO tested its largest-ever Protected Core Network against current and future standards. This “Standard Military Internet” enables Allies to plug and play, use a consistent interface, and exchange information securely and seamlessly. Since 2018, CWIX has incubated this capability to where it is today: delivering flexible, reliable battlefield communications infrastructure to 11 nations.
NATO’s future success relies on the interconnectivity of its forces. CWIX25 demonstrated that digital interoperability is not an abstract goal but a tangible, achievable reality, one that demands constant collaboration, innovation, and rigorous testing. As NATO prepares for increasingly complex, multi-domain operations, CWIX remains its proving ground for mission-ready capabilities. From cutting-edge AI and resilient communications to space integration and federated networks, CWIX25 offered more than technical validation; it reinforced a shared commitment among Allies and partners to remain connected, capable, and cohesive. As the Alliance looks to 2030 and beyond, CWIX continues to be where interoperability begins.
