Why Joint Multi‑Domain Exercises Are the Future of Defence
Modern security threats no longer fit inside a single branch of the armed forces. From cyber‑attacks that cripple critical infrastructure to space‑based surveillance that guides artillery fire, the battlefield now spans land, sea, air, cyber and the cognitive arena. The Joint Stars 2026 (JOST‑26) conference, held under Italy’s Comando Operativo di Vertice Interforze (COVI), highlighted the next wave of integration that will shape defence strategies worldwide.
1. Multi‑Domain Operations (MDO) Are Becoming Standard Doctrine
Allies are moving from siloed capabilities to NATO’s Multi‑Domain Operations concept. The JOST‑26 planning process showed how Command Post Exercise (CPX) and Live Exercise (LIVEX) can be used to test cross‑domain coordination in real‑time.
2. Integrated Command Structures Are the New “One‑Stop Shop”
Having the COVI act as the Primary Training Audience means a single command can orchestrate land, maritime, air, cyber and space assets. This reduces latency in decision‑making and mirrors the Joint Command model adopted by several NATO members.
Real‑life example: In 2024, the French‑German “Eurocorps” conducted a joint CPX that cut the OODA loop (Observe‑Orient‑Decide‑Act) by 30 % compared with previous exercises.
3. Cyber‑Cognitive Integration Is No Longer an Afterthought
The inclusion of the Agenzia per la Cybersicurezza Nazionale and the Department of Civil Protection underscores that information warfare and resilience planning are core components of any large‑scale drill.
Data point: According to the European Parliament’s 2023 cyber‑security report, cyber‑incidents now account for 25 % of total defence spending across EU nations.
4. Space Operations Are Moving to the Tactical Level
With the Comando delle Operazioni Spaziali participating, JOST‑26 demonstrated how satellite communications, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), and even space‑based kinetic effects can be synchronized with ground maneuvers.
Case study: Italy’s Agenzia Spaziale Italiana recently provided real‑time orbital data that allowed a naval task group to adjust its anti‑submarine warfare pattern within minutes.
Emerging Trends to Watch
- Artificial‑Intelligence‑enabled decision support: AI tools will preprocess sensor data from all domains, delivering actionable insights faster than human analysts.
- Federated NATO training events: Joint Stars 2027 is slated to become a NATO‑wide federated exercise, creating a seamless training pipeline across member states.
- Resilience‑by‑design logistics: Future CPXs will embed supply‑chain disruption simulations, ensuring forces can operate when critical routes are compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between CPX and LIVEX?
- A Command Post Exercise (CPX) focuses on staff‑level planning, communications and decision‑making without deploying actual equipment, while a Live Exercise (LIVEX) involves real assets in the field to validate those plans.
- Why does COVI serve as the “Primary Training Audience”?
- COVI brings together all Italian armed forces and civilian agencies under a single command, enabling true inter‑service and inter‑agency coordination—critical for multi‑domain missions.
- How does cyber‑cognitive training differ from traditional cyber defence?
- It integrates psychological operations, misinformation counter‑measures, and decision‑making under information overload, adding a “cognitive” layer to pure technical defence.
- Can smaller NATO members benefit from these large‑scale drills?
- Yes. Through “federated” exercises, smaller nations can plug into shared scenarios, gaining exposure to high‑end capabilities without fielding them themselves.
What This Means for Defence Policy Makers
Policy makers must fund not only hardware, but also the “glue” that holds multi‑domain operations together: interoperable communications, joint doctrine development, and continuous cyber‑cognitive training. Investing now will pay off when the next crisis demands rapid, coordinated action across every domain.
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