As a part of its pivotal role in modernizing and adapting the Alliance to meet emerging security challenges, Allied Command Transformation was designated as the coordinating authority for the thirty NATO-accredited Centres of Excellence. As such the Command is responsible for their establishment, accreditation, preparation, and approval, with support from Allied Command Operations.
Over the coming weeks, we will highlight a different Centre of Excellence each day in order to showcase the diverse expertise and critical contributions these institutions bring to the Alliance.
NATO-accredited Centres of Excellence are national or multinational institutions offering specialized knowledge, experience, and education to Alliance members. Although not officially part of the NATO Command Structure, these Centres maintain a functional relationship with NATO, contributing expertise through four transformational pillars: concept development and experimentation; doctrine development and standardization; education, training, exercise, and evaluation; and analysis and lessons learned.
Currently, there are 30 NATO-accredited Centres of Excellence, each focusing on a wide variety of subject matter expertise such as Space, Climate Change and Security, Strategic Communications, Cyber Defence, Energy Security, Naval Mine Warfare, and Cold Weather Operations, among others. General Philippe Lavigne, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, recently stated, “As we progress in our global security mission, the central role of the Centres of Excellence in strengthening our collective defence capabilities has become increasingly evident.”
First introduced in 2003, Centres of Excellence offer several unique benefits to NATO. They operate at no cost to NATO, adhere to NATO procedures, doctrines, and standards, avoid duplicating existing Alliance assets, and maintain functional relationships with NATO’s Strategic Commands. They are encouraged to build relationships with additional national and multinational partners. Centres of Excellence also support the implementation of NATO’s Warfighting Capstone Concept through the Warfare Development Agenda, incorporating priorities such as Multi-Domain Operations and Digital Transformation in their annual work programmes.
Periodic assessments by Allied Command Transformation ensure Centres of Excellence remain aligned with core NATO principles. The Command’s Centre of Excellence Programme Development Branch oversees the overall coordination and processes of the Centres, assisting NATO requestors in utilizing these vital centres.
