NATO's Strategic Foresight Workshop - the Way for Future Warfare

From March 25 to 27, 2024, NATO's Headquarters Allied Command Transformation, in collaboration with the Centre Interarmées de Concepts, de Doctrines et d’Expérimentations (CICDE), hosted the Strategic Foresight (SF) Future Operating Environment (FOE) Workshop. This event, taking place at the prestigious École Militaire in Paris, marked a continuation of the dialogue begun at the initial FOE workshop in London in November 2023.

The Paris workshop offered a platform for an enriched conversation on the evolving dynamics of the future battlefield, encompassing a comprehensive analysis of potential actors and the nature of warfare across all operational spheres and dimensions of effect. Vital to the discussions was the transformative impact of technological advancements on warfare's character. Special attention was given to the enhancement of decision-making processes through augmented reality, sophisticated data exploitation techniques, and the strategic use of space assets. The rapid integration of physical and digital realms, propelled by advancements in artificial intelligence and technology, heralds a new era of 'smart' warfare. This shift underscores the emergence of critical technology enablers that promise to redefine engagement paradigms across all domains and environments.

Representing the EOD Centre of Excellence at the workshop, Mr. Vladimir Vostiar's participation underscores the importance of integrating EOD perspectives. As NATO continues to adapt to the fast-paced evolution of warfare technologies and methodologies, initiatives like the SF FOE workshop are essential. They not only foster a deeper understanding of future threats and opportunities but also ensure that NATO's strategic and operational frameworks remain at the cutting edge of military science and technology.

Text: Mr. Vladimir Vostiar
Photo: Mr. Vladimir Vostiar