As part of its mission, JFTC provides support to NATO Future Operations. In particular, JFTC actively supports the implementation of a new NATO training environment with 2024 and 2025 as transition years.

This includes new opportunities to test and validate specified areas of interest through computer assisted analytical wargaming.

In NATO, wargaming is understood as representation of conflicts or competition in a safe-to-fail environment, in which people make decisions and respond to their consequences.

JFTC developed an initial concept for Tactical Level Land Centric Computer Assisted Wargame (TLCAW) and conducted the first trial from 18 to 22 November 2024 at its facility. Multinational Corps Southeast (MNC-SE) supported the JFTC capability development as a TLCAW 24 Trial sponsor.

During the preparation phase, JFTC and MNC-SE staffs identified areas to be tested. During the wargame, several options could be played and tested, and the players could “zoom-in” on various phases, areas and or dilemmas of their plan.

During this week, MNC-SE staff formed two competing planning teams (blue and red “players”), who developed orders and tasks for subordinate formations portrayed in the computer based simulation system. The outcome of the simulation was assessed and the playing teams could adjust the tasks and orders in accordance with the observed development of the situation.

A high level of granularity of the simulation system helps analyse potential outcomes in detail, and provides important information for planners.

JFTC will assess the observations from the Wargame Trial and will further develop its concept in order to continue the development of a new important tool for the NATO Headquarters and formations to test and refine their plans in a safe-to-fail environment.