ANKARA, TÜRKIYE – More than 200 decision makers from more than 30 Allied Nations and NATO commands gathered this week to discuss the complexities of becoming a Multi-Domain Operations-enabled Alliance.
Multi-Domain Operations is not just adding space and cyberspace to the more traditional domains of land, air, and maritime, but also the synchronization of activities with civilian entities.
Multi-Domain Operations are about defending our territory, our home, our children – through the critical connection and synergy between the military world and the civilian world.
Admiral Pierre Vandier,
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation
The war in Ukraine has shown this is not just possible, but a necessity.
Ukraine has effectively resisted and shown decision making advantage by harnessing technology and leveraging resources from civilians. They are already conducting Multi-Domain Operations on the battlefield. Drones have helped spot enemy positions to plan an attack; Starlink, a satellite internet system, has given Ukraine a resilient infrastructure to stay connected. The system functions even during ground or cyber-attacks.
Lessons identified from Ukraine solidify NATO’s approach to a unified response to potential future conflicts. A digitally transformed Alliance will allow for improved interoperability which remains a critical enabler for MDO.
The 2025 MDO Conference identified three main areas of focus:
- Ensuring a common understanding of Multi-Domain Operations across the Alliance
- Reinforcing the Cross-Domain Command approach in mindset and culture
- Coordinating Multi-Domain Operations capability development
During the conference, we addressed key challenges currently facing the Alliance and explored how Multi-Domain Operations can serve as a strategic approach to overcoming them. To realize this vision, we plan to conduct bold, audacious training exercises with multinational forces, harness cutting-edge technology through experimentation and wargaming, and explore innovative ways to incorporate non-military entities into operational planning.
Major General Devin Pepper,
Allied Command Transformation Deputy Chief of Staff
for Strategic Plans and Policy
Allied Command Transformation is leading efforts to advance Multi-Domain Operations, fostering continued dialogue and partnership with Alliance leaders, scholars, and industry experts. With key events on the horizon, including a conference focused on special forces employment of Multi-Domain Operations in Bulgaria later this year, and the next annual Multi-Domain Operations Conference in Croatia in 2026, the Alliance continues to build the partnerships and knowledge base required for success. These collaborative events will help turn shared ambition into collective action.
