Multi-Domain Operations: The Warfare of the Future

Based on my six-month research, which began in 2022 and was published in NRDC-HERALD, my article examines the role of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) in the modern operational environment, as well as the impact of emerging technologies on the functioning of the Alliance.

In this context, a clear example of MDO principles applied in practice is the war in Ukraine.

Specifically, multiple sources (ICDS, CSIS, Reuters) report that Ukraine employs a combination of unmanned ground vehicles, drones, ISR systems, cyber capabilities, and information operations, creating an environment where different domains collaborate to achieve a coordinated operational effect.

Furthermore, the integration of commercial technologies demonstrates how technology and strategic philosophy interact on the modern battlefield.

It should be noted that multi-dimensional thinking and the combination of different forces in military operations have existed since antiquity.

The modern form of MDO, as recognized by the US Army, is the result of approximately 30 years of evolution. For European forces, however, it represents a relatively new approach.

In practice, it appears that the Navy SEALs implement many principles of MDO within a coordinated multi-domain-environment. However, this applies to small-scale special operations, in contrast to NATO’s MDO, which is designed for large-scale operations and the coordination of multiple units and military branches.

This new operational reality highlights the need for Greece, as a NATO member, to monitor and adapt to MDO developments, incorporating technological and strategic flexibility into the planning and operation of its forces.

More details are presented in the full text (p. 25): NRDC-HERALD, Issue 20

Source: NATO MDO