Today, Allied Command Transformation hosted the Future Force Study Virtual Conference where the scope, aims and objectives of the study were discussed with one hundred attendees from 29 NATO nations. The conference offered an explanation about this initiative and promoted a conversation with attendees to define and enhance outputs in the coming year.
The success of the Alliance hinges on the strategic grasp of the current and future global security landscape, which guides NATO’s swift and ongoing changes. As NATO’s warfare development command, Allied Command Transformation spearheads NATO’s transformation efforts, ensuring continuous advancements in warfare are made in order to deter and defend against all adversaries. Central to this is the NATO Defence Planning Process, which is inherently forward-looking.
A somewhat newer key initiative, the Future Force Study addresses a perceived gap in NATO’s ability to anticipate future force requirements in operational environments. This study will complement the NATO Defence Planning Process, aiming to provide the Alliance with the means to shape future defence investment plans.
Based on a methodical understanding of the future security environment, the Future Force Study considers the long-term military strategies of potential adversaries. This study has the potential to inform not only defence planning but also capability planning, investment strategies, and prioritization.
The Future Force Study is an internal proof-of-concept study at Allied Command Transformation, embracing modern rapid-development practices. Its objectives are to provide evidence-based insights into Alliance activities and concepts, test assumptions about the future operating environment, identify gaps in medium to long-term capability development, and support capability strategies to inform the NATO Defence Planning Process.
“The Future Force Study will provide a model, accessible by NATO nations which will support national future force structures and national compositions complimenting ACT’s initial findings in the proof of concept.”
– Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Kiefer, Future Force Study Project Lead
During the virtual conference, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Chris Badia, and Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Guy Robinson, welcomed specific insights from the nations interested in supporting this study. Those in attendance were also given the opportunity to share best practices from their own countries.
The Future Force Study is a unique and ambitious project for NATO and marks a significant step in shaping NATO’s future defence capabilities. With one hundred attendees participating, including representatives from twenty-nine nations, the conference provided a platform to discuss the study’s scope, aims, and objectives. It also facilitated a constructive dialogue to define and enhance outputs in the coming year. As NATO continues to adapt to evolving security challenges, initiatives like the Future Force Study play a crucial role in ensuring the Alliance remains prepared and effective in deterring and defending against any threat.