Oct 29 2025

NCIA enables Steadfast Duel 25, NATO’s largest computer-assisted command post exercise

From 22 to 29 October 2025, Exercise Steadfast Duel 25 took place across multiple locations in Europe and the United States. The computer-assisted command and control exercise brought together approximately 7000 military and civilian personnel from the Alliance to test NATO’s readiness and interoperability under realistic crisis conditions.

Steadfast Duel 25 is the first operational level exercise to train three NATO Joint Force Commands (Brunssum, Naples and Norfolk) simultaneously. The exercise connects NATO’s operational commands in a simulated 24/7 battlespace that mirrors the complexity of modern conflict. Participants trained day and night, adjusting their battle rhythm accordingly, to strengthen NATO’s ability to plan, coordinate and fight as one Allied force across all domains.

NCIA enables Steadfast Duel 25, NATO’s largest computer-assisted command post exercise

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) provided steadfast support to the exercise delivering communication and information systems (CIS) capabilities. From the provision and installation of technology, to local and central CIS support or connectivity security to the commands. NCIA experts also planned, prepared and installed the exercise network to support classified information exchange.

“Steadfast Duel 25 is the most complex and challenging exercise in 2025 for the NCIA Operations and Exercises team,” explains Marcin Kutynia, NCIA Exercise Planner. “Once again, NCIA has proved its ability to deliver secure, coherent, cost effective and interoperable CIS in support of command and control and to enable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.”

As the first NATO exercise to train an Article 5 collective defence scenario across the entire NATO Command Structure and all 32 Allies, Steadfast Duel reinforces the Alliance’s commitment to readiness and collective defence. To support NATO’s readiness mission, NCIA facilitates the real-world simulation training so that NATO forces stand ready to respond effectively to any threat.

The NATO Maven Smart System (MSS) was used as the primary platform for warfighting integration during Steadfast Duel 25. This represented a significant step forward in multi-domain operations huge command and control for NATO.

With access across Allied Command Operations (ACO) warfighting headquarters, NATO MSS enabled faster data processing, seamless integration, and smarter decision support across all domains. Developers successfully implemented numerous innovative solutions, showcasing the system’s adaptability and operational value under realistic conditions.

Images sourced from the Joint Warfare Centre.