The second day of NATO’s Military Committee (MC) visit to Allied Command Transformation (ACT), as part of a three-day working session, saw the topic of technology being discussed in more detail. Specifically, how new technologies can be better utilized to improve the Alliance’s capabilities and how the use of advanced and emerging technology can be integrated into the way NATO works.

The final topic discussed during the formal MC meeting was Human Capital as a game changer for NATO, in particular in the context of emerging technologies and how they relate to NATO personnel. After an explanation on the topic from ACT’s perspective from Deputy Chief of Staff Joint Force Trainer, Major General Stefano Salamida (Italian Air Force), an interesting and productive discussion ensued among the Military Representatives. The number of questions asked and statements made by the MC and ACT during the discussion clearly highlighted the importance of the issue, not only for NATO, but also for the Nations. The discussion focussed on a number of related topics such as the changing recruitment requirements for military as we move more and more into the digital era, with many Nations noting that, although there was an increased need to recruit so-called Digital Warriors, who need to be able to absorb and exploit new technologies from a military perspective, there is still a need to maintain conventional military requirements.

The MC then went on to discuss topics related to the Cyber Domain with speakers addressing many related topics such as NATO’s Cyberspace Domain Roadmap and the Operationalization of the Cyberspace Domain. Cyber threats and attacks are becoming more common, sophisticated, and damaging. The Alliance is faced with an evolving complex threat environment. In recent events, cyber-attacks have been part of hybrid warfare. NATO and its Allies rely on strong and resilient cyber defences to fulfil the Alliance’s core tasks of collective defence, crisis management, and cooperative security. NATO needs to be prepared to defend its networks and operations against the growing sophistication of the cyber threats and attacks it faces. You can find out more on Cyber Defence in NATO by following this link .

At a joint press conference given by SACT and General Petr Pavel (Czech Army; chairman of the MC (CMC) since June 2015) both gentlemen reiterated the importance of the opportunity for the MC and ACT to meet and discuss such relevant topics. They also highlighted the role the JALLC plays in NATO’s Lessons Learned Process and thanked Portugal, the Host Nation of the JALLC and this week’s event, for its continuing commitment and contribution to the Alliance.

Tomorrow, 28 February, is the last day of the MC’s visit to ACT and to Portugal and will see the members of the MC looking at NATO’s maritime capabilities in more depth.

From 26-28 February, NATO’s MC is visiting one of the two NATO Strategic Commands; ACT. This year, at the request of Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), General Denis Mercier (French Air Force), the JALLC is hosting the visit at NATO’s facilities in Lisbon, Portugal.