Defence AI & Autonomy (Operational Priorities)
33 pages · PDF · 04 February 2026 · Licensed single-user copy, watermarked to the buyer
Strategic Artificial Intelligence, Big Data & Analytics Autonomous Systems, Robotics & Swarms
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About this report
NATO Allies have elevated defence applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems into a core operational priority to preserve the Alliance’s technological and military edge. The 2022 NATO Strategic Concept explicitly recognises that emerging and disruptive technologies like AI and robotics are “altering the character of conflict” and becoming arenas of strategic competition .
Adversaries’ rapid advances – from Russia’s use of drones and cyber attacks in warfare to China’s investments in military AI – pose a threat to Allied security and underscore the need for NATO to promote innovation and increase investments in these technologies .
Key questions this report answers
- Why have NATO Allies elevated defence AI and autonomous systems to a core operational priority to preserve their technological and military edge?
- How are AI and robotics altering the character of conflict, as recognised in the 2022 NATO Strategic Concept?
- Which mission sets, force posture and capability families are required, given Russian and Chinese military-AI advances?
- What technology clusters, industrial base and structural bottlenecks constrain Allied defence AI?
Inside this report
- Mission Sets, Theatres, Domains and Scenarios
- Force Posture, Readiness Models and Command-and-Control Architecture
- Capability Families, Tactical Building Blocks and Performance Requirements
- Technology Clusters, Industrial Base, Value Chain and Structural Bottlenecks
Who it's for
Strategy, corporate-development and investment teams that need an ecosystem-level view — budgets, industrial capacity and technology landscapes — before committing capital or capacity.
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Methodology, format & delivery
DFM reports are built from primary and official sources — TED procurement notices, CORDIS and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, EIB operations, the NATO Innovation Fund portfolio, SIPRI data, official budget documents and company disclosures — read together with the underlying legal texts. Sources are cited in the document; it reflects them as of its publication date (04 February 2026). You receive a 33-page PDF, watermarked to you on every page, delivered on the confirmation page and by e-mail immediately after checkout (personal link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). Guest checkout, single-user licence — Terms of Sale.
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