Advanced technology gives British boost to European deployment

For the first time Danish-built battle management software is being used operationally by British personnel as part of the multi-national Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) deployment to the Baltics.

The SitaWare C4ISR* software allows the UK’s Standing Joint Force Headquarters (SJFHQ) to communicate plans and orders more quickly, and efficiently, than ever before – significantly boosting their ability to share information across domains with multiple international partners.

The UK has joined its JEF partners in Lithuania and Latvia, as well as deploying liaison officers in Denmark, Estonia, Finland and Sweden. Six out of the ten JEF nations present currently use the same technology – manufactured by Danish-owned company Systematic, the world’s leading supplier of C4ISR solutions.

Group Senior Vice President, Defence, Andrew Graham said it was a fantastic opportunity for British forces to gain operational insight into how SitaWare can support the work they do.

“For international partners to communicate with each other effectively and reliably while building a common picture of their operation is absolutely vital,” he said.

“We are extremely proud to be working with the UK and supporting their contribution to the JEF deployment.”

Technical support

As well as the software, Systematic also sent two team members to support SJFHQ in the field. Senior systems engineer David Lewis and Product Support Manager Martin Eskildsen spent four days at their HQ near Vilnius, Lithuania to assist with SitaWare Headquarters by providing user training and technical support.

SitaWare Headquarters provides a seamless, integrated C4ISR system for all levels of command, allowing the sharing of a Common Operational Picture (COP) and coordination of plans and orders across both co-located and deployed forces.

Key regional activity

Commander of the Standing Joint Force Headquarters Major General Jim Morris said: “The men and women from across our UK Armed Forces and our JEF partners are supported by experts from across government and academia and are well prepared for this deployment which comes at a critical time for European stability.

The security of the Baltic Sea region has never been more important, and this deployment demonstrates our collective resolve to maintaining that security.”

The JEF deployment is coordinating military activity in the Baltic Sea region at a time of heightened focus on regional security and cooperation.

JEF nations have a common commitment to democracy, security and stability, with a geographical focus on the Baltic Sea region, the High North and the North Atlantic. The UK is the framework nation for the JEF, working alongside partners Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

The partnership is designed to complement NATO, with the potential to deploy worldwide. The current deployment involves over 220 personnel, from the UK and other JEF nations, including specialists in cyber, space and information operations.

*C4ISR: Command, Control, Communications, Computers (C4) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance