These technological trends will change The Norwegian Armed Forces
Sometimes new technologies open up for such great opportunities that we have to change the way we think and work. It also applies to The Norwegian Armed Forces.
Do you find it difficult to see the big picture in the jungle of technological innovations? FFI has recently published a report that addresses the key defence technology trends that will affect us in the future.
“The changes occur faster than before, and the consequences are more profound. We must take this recognition into account when discussing how to further develop the Norwegian Armed Forces,” says John-Mikal Størdal, CEO at FFI.
The report points to three key areas for the use of new technology:
- Surveillance
Understanding the world around us is crucial. Sensor systems coupled with unmanned platforms provide large benefits in terms of coverage and endurance. Information technology enables us to transfer, assemble and analyse information faster and more efficiently. Automated machine-learning analysis can help us detect events and objects and give us better target information.
- Weapons systems
We expect to encounter increasingly advanced missile weapons, autonomous weapons systems, mass-effect weapons, target-specific mines and directed-energy weapons. At the same time, there will be a race to develop protective measures against such high-tech weapons.
China and Russia have come a long way in the development of long-range precision-guided weapons, but the West is also developing high-tech missiles with increasing range, lower signatures and higher speeds. - Communication
Today's communication systems are inadequate and too vulnerable when measured against future requirements for operational pace, collaboration and geographical coverage. Mastering electronic warfare is necessary in order to use and protect communication systems, sensors and weapons systems.
The conflict in Ukraine and the elections in the United States have shown that the cyber domain has been used for attacks and influence operations. Here, too, the Armed Forces must have abilities and knowledge.
Public Responsibility
Much of the technology development today is taking place in civilian sector, in an interaction between global technology giants like Google and Amazon and smaller companies with strong expertise.
“It can be tempting for public authorities to sit back and expect civilian actors to solve all of society’s technology needs. This will be a serious misjudgement,” says Størdal.
“Defence technology is tailor made. Military contexts place completely different requirements on use, endurance, precision and reliability. Therefore, we need to further develop innovation environments that know the Armed Forces from within, that understand the operational needs and have in-depth knowledge of the military systems.
Alternative Concepts
The report points out that Norway is one of the countries that has the greatest benefit from new technology, due to our strategic and geographical location, vast oceans and small population.
According to Størdal, two factors are crucial to whether we succeed in exploiting the technological space. It is about the state's willingness to take leadership in technology development, and the Armed Forces ability to try out new solutions and — when necessary — adapt crew, organization and operations to the new opportunities technology provides.