NATO holds multi-domain operations conference in Croatia

A NATO conference on multi-domain operations, organized by Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and the Croatian Armed Forces, is taking place in Split, Croatia.

The three-day conference, held from October 27 to 29, 2026, focuses on the theme "Convergence of Power: Enabling Multi-Domain Operations Through Military and Non-Military Synchronization." Discussions center on how NATO and its allies can better integrate capabilities and effects across different domains while strengthening cooperation between military and non-military actors.

The conference was opened by Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, and Chief of Staff of NATO's Allied Command Transformation, Vice Admiral Simon Asquith, CE Report informs via the Ministry of Defence of Croatia's official website.

Lieutenant General Kundid: Modern Warfare Requires Multi-Domain Operations

In his opening remarks, Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid emphasized that modern warfare is no longer confined to traditional battlefields but requires multi-domain operations that simultaneously integrate the traditional domains of land, air, and sea with cyberspace and space.

The importance of multi-domain operations is determined by several key aspects of modern warfare, including the hybrid nature of conflicts, the speed of decision-making, and the interconnectedness of capabilities.

He stressed that technological adaptation and alignment are essential for all NATO allies. Accordingly, the Croatian Armed Forces are actively participating in ACT activities aimed at integrating multi-domain operations into operational practices through training and military exercises, with the goal of developing full operational capabilities for future military missions.

Vice Admiral Asquith: It Is Time to Accelerate

Vice Admiral Simon Asquith, Chief of Staff of NATO's Allied Command Transformation, highlighted that multi-domain operations build upon joint operations by integrating space and cyberspace from the outset and strengthening cooperation with non-military actors. This approach enables NATO to share information and act faster than its adversaries.

Quoting Robert Schuman, Vice Admiral Asquith said:

"World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it."

He added: "That is the test for us today. Are our efforts truly proportionate to the dangers we face? It is time to accelerate and think differently."

Advancing Multi-Domain Operations

Over the three days, more than 200 participants from 30 countries are examining four priorities for advancing NATO's ambitions in multi-domain operations: accelerating digital transformation, integrating space and cyberspace, coordinating activities across all domains, and strengthening civil-military synchronization.

As a relatively new concept within NATO, multi-domain operations (MDO) involve coordinating military activities across all operational domains, synchronized with non-military activities, to enable the Alliance to achieve its desired effects at the right time.

Progress toward becoming a fully multi-domain-capable Alliance will ultimately depend on how successfully NATO integrates existing and emerging capabilities into its operations.

Turning the discussions in Split into concrete improvements in planning, training, and interoperability will help strengthen the Alliance's ability to deter aggression and defend the territories of its member states.

Photo Ministry of Defence of Croatia