When Allied forces act as one, what makes that possible? Trusted information. A common operational picture. And interoperability that works across nations, systems and domains.
From 8 to 26 June 2026, NATO Joint Force Training Centre (JFTC) hosted one of the Alliance’s most significant interoperability events. The Coalition Warrior Interoperability Exercise (CWIX), led by Allied Command Transformation (ACT), is NATO’s premier environment for testing and validating interoperability before it is needed in operations. The 2026 edition brought together more than 4,000 participants from over 40 NATO and Partner Nations, making it the largest CWIX to date.
“CWIX is not a demonstration – it is a working exercise. It is where we take the challenges we face – across domains, across classifications, across networks – and we solve them together. The outcomes matter: stronger mission partnership, more resilient command and control, and better readiness for the mission we may be called upon to conduct,” stressed Major General Bogdan Rycerski, the NATO Joint Force Training Centre’s Commander.
Interoperability – ‘A Military Necessity’
In operational environments, interoperability is mission-critical. CWIX ensures that Allied and Partner forces can communicate, share trusted information, make decisions and operate together effectively when it matters most.
That matters now more than ever. In a security environment that is more contested, more dynamic, and more demanding than at any point in recent history, the speed and quality of decision-making can be decisive.
“In this environment, military effectiveness depends not simply on having advanced capabilities, it depends on our ability to connect those capabilities into one coherent operational force. This is the purpose of interoperability,” noted Lieutenant General Marcus Annibale, the ACT Deputy Chief of Staff Capability Development. He also added: “Interoperability is not a technical aspiration. It is a military necessity.”
Whether operating in land, air, maritime, cyber, or space domains, forces must be able to act faster than an adversary and act together.
CWIX provides the environment in which that capability is tested and proven. In 2026, the exercise once again demonstrated NATO’s ability to turn shared intent into operational capability, strengthening Alliance cohesion, credibility and readiness in an increasingly complex security environment.
Over three weeks, operators, engineers, planners, developers and military professionals worked side by side to enhance Allied operational effectiveness, improve Alliance interoperability and strengthen NATO’s readiness. They worked across 20 focus areas, including Multi-Domain Command and Control, Space, Cyber, Federated Mission Networking Core Services, Communications, Next Generation Targeting and more. Together, they tested more than 600 capabilities and conducted over 30,000 tests.
The carefully planned and tailored CWIX environment enabled participants to achieve tangible results. These outcomes enable commanders to trust the information they receive and make timely operational decisions. They also allow NATO’s multinational forces to communicate, share data and operate seamlessly together, while ensuring that future capabilities are not only technologically advanced, but also operationally effective across the Alliance.
Distinguished Visitors Day
On 24 June, nearly 350 senior military and civilian representatives from across the Alliance and Partner Nations visited the CWIX 2026 site. Distinguished Visitors Day offered senior leaders and stakeholders a unique opportunity to see first-hand how CWIX turns innovation into operational outcomes.
Through live demonstrations and capability showcases, visitors explored how interoperability directly contributes to situational awareness, decision superiority and combat effectiveness across the Alliance.
The event also reinforced the importance of maintaining momentum in NATO’s digital transformation and strengthening coalition readiness for future operations. It further highlighted the critical operational relevance of CWIX.
JFTC – the Home of CWIX
CWIX is NATO’s premier annual interoperability testing event. For nearly 30 years, it has provided a platform for NATO, Nations and industry to de-risk in command and control capabilities and information technology services for Allied missions, while incorporating lessons learned into future capability development. The NATO Joint Force Training Centre has been the home of CWIX since 2011.
“JFTC remains the best place for CWIX with unique capabilities providing classified and unclassified testing infrastructure, a dedicated and experienced staff, and an outstanding city to host the participants,” highlighted Brigadier General Zoltan Barany, JFTC Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff.
Delivering such a demanding and complex exercise required significant preparation. A dedicated team of JFTC staff members, supported by the Host Nation, Poland, worked tirelessly for many months to ensure that CWIX 2026 could run smoothly. They adapted JFTC’s existing infrastructure, built two additional tented areas – one of them at Bydgoszcz Military Airfield – and tailored the facilities to meet CWIX requirements. The exercise area covered more than 27,000 square metres and included 24 tents. Purpose-built networks used 8 kilometres of fibre-optic cable and 6 kilometres of copper cable, supported by a power grid with an output of 1,200 kW. Preparations for and execution of the event required extensive effort and close cooperation of personnel across many branches. Thanks to their expertise and professionalism, the environment created enabled CWIX participants to conduct their important mission at the highest level.
In addition, numerous JFTC staff members supported, and in some cases led, several CWIX 2026 focus areas and working groups. This made JFTC more than just the host of CWIX – it made the Centre an important enabler of the exercise.
“JFTC is not only a venue, but interoperability is at our core. We are a main user and provider of leading edge NATO Command and Control as a part of enhanced realism in our exercises. Also our battle laboratory provides capabilities for testing and validating future Command and Control solutions,” added Brigadier General Barany.
About CWIX
CWIX is the premier opportunity for NATO and Nations to test and improve the digital interoperability that connects Alliance and Partner command and control capabilities and information technology services.
Led by Allied Command Transformation, endorsed by NATO’s North Atlantic Council, directed by the Military Committee and guided by the Digital Policy Committee, CWIX is operationally driven and technically supported to meet Alliance and Partner Nation interoperability validation and verification requirements.
CWIX provides NATO, member and partner nations and other organizations with a controlled environment to try-fail-fix and try again while testing interoperability of their systems to continuously improve NATO interoperability and resilience in future crisis.
To learn more about CWIX, visit https://www.act.nato.int/activities/federated-interoperability/
