The UK has reinforced its position as a defence leader within NATO by showcasing advanced analytical wargaming at the Alliance’s 2025 concept development conference in Verona. The event brought together military planners, scientists, and analysts to examine how wargaming can support better decisions at a time of rapid geopolitical and technological change.
The UK’s contribution demonstrated how modern analytical methods are shaping defence thinking and improving understanding across the Alliance. This matters for UK readers because it shows how Britain is helping NATO adapt to faster decision cycles and complex threat environments.
The Ministry of Defence, Dstl, and the Cyber & Specialist Operations Command used the conference to present a growing national wargaming enterprise and introduce a structured approach to analytical wargaming. Their presentations underlined the value of shared methods, collaboration between defence organisations, and investment in human-centred experimentation.
Moreover, the UK delegation outlined why wargaming now sits at the centre of modern force development and how it supports NATO’s ability to plan, anticipate, and respond. The Verona gathering offered a practical forum for Allies to compare approaches, learn from each other, and advance a more coherent way of thinking.
How the UK Framed Its Contribution in Verona
The UK delegation presented a focused message about collaboration, analytical discipline, and strengthened networks across NATO. Additionally, they emphasised that modern defence planning increasingly depends on rigorous testing of concepts before investments and commitments are made.
The Verona event therefore provided an ideal platform to demonstrate how analytical wargaming supports better long-term choices. At the same time, the UK outlined how its defence organisations have aligned methods and resources to support a more coherent national approach.
Why NATO Brought Communities Together
NATO combined its concept development and wargaming communities to ensure ideas, experimentation, and analysis could be discussed in the same forum. Moreover, this format allowed analysts, military staff, industry representatives, and academics to examine shared challenges using common tools.
This single-venue approach promoted practical dialogue on how the Alliance can think, plan, and adapt more effectively. As a result, the conference encouraged ways of working that support faster learning and improved decision-making.
The UK’s Strategic Focus at the Event
The UK highlighted three priorities: enterprise coherence, analytical improvement, and enhanced collaboration. Furthermore, the delegation used its sessions to outline how these priorities shape a more integrated national wargaming effort.
This included showing how Dstl, CSOC, and wider defence bodies have aligned their work through a partnership charter. Additionally, the UK stressed that shared methods help analysts produce outcomes that are understandable and reusable across NATO.
NATO Conference Themes
| Focus of the event | Bringing concept development and wargaming communities together |
| Conference aim | Strengthening collaboration among Allies and partners |
| UK opportunity | Showcasing national capability and promoting shared methods |
Early Themes Emphasised by UK Delegates
- Enterprise coherence across UK defence bodies
- Improved analytical foundations for modern wargaming
The UK’s Presentations and What They Demonstrated
The UK delivered two central presentations to outline national capability and promote its Analysis-Led Wargaming Framework. Moreover, these sessions offered practical guidance for commissioners, analysts, and practitioners seeking to strengthen analytical output.
Each presentation showcased how a structured, repeatable approach helps NATO align methods and improve the quality of decision support. In addition, they highlighted opportunities for deeper bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Showcasing the Wargaming Defence Enterprise
The first presentation described the growth of the UK’s Wargaming Defence Enterprise, which includes networks of analysts, trained practitioners, and specialist centres. Furthermore, it demonstrated how collaboration enables the UK to conduct larger, more credible analytical activities.
The presentation also explored opportunities to deepen partnerships with Allied wargaming organisations. As a result, the session positioned the UK as a leader in analytical experimentation within NATO.
Introducing the Analysis-Led Wargaming Framework
The second presentation introduced a developing tool designed to help defence teams conduct consistent, evidence-based wargaming. Moreover, the framework gives practitioners a clear method for shaping scenarios, assessing options, and guiding decisions.
The UK emphasised that shared frameworks allow NATO planners to compare results more easily and avoid duplicated effort. In addition, this approach supports a more coherent Alliance posture during periods of change.
UK Analytical Focus Areas
| Framework aim | Provide analysts with a repeatable wargaming method |
| UK message | Collaboration and coherence underpin modern defence analysis |
| Future direction | Deepening partnerships across NATO centres and networks |
Ministerial Comments
Captain Eugene Morgan OBE RN said:
‘Our work at the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub shows that rigorous, analytical wargaming is essential to shaping credible future force options. By sharing methods and building partnerships across NATO, we are helping to accelerate coherent, evidence-based decisions across the Alliance.
This approach ensures the UK plays an active role in supporting NATO’s ability to adapt at pace.’
Industry Comments
Colin Marston said:
‘NATO’s future advantage will come from how effectively we learn together. Through joint efforts between the Defence Wargaming Centre and the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub, the UK is strengthening its wargaming community and improving collaboration with international partners.
This work helps shape an Alliance better prepared for an increasingly complex world.’
A Parting Shot
The UK’s participation in the Verona conference highlighted a modern, analytical approach to defence planning and experimentation. Moreover, the event showed how national organisations are aligning their methods to improve cooperation with NATO. The UK’s presentations demonstrated the value of shared learning, structured analysis, and inclusive participation. As the Alliance faces fast-moving challenges, these contributions offer a practical foundation for more informed and agile decision-making.
Sources: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Cyber & Specialist Operations Command.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™
