(With link to paper) In the current threat context, navies across the globe need to find and use the right training tools to prepare their sailors and achieve overall readiness. Wider technology is to have a huge impact, but how can navies use it to their advantage in the right conditions?
Ahead of the eighth annual international Surface Warships (29 January – 1 February), Andy Fawkes, consultant and former UK Ministry of Defence simulation policy lead, gives his views on the ever-changing training systems and simulation landscape, their relevance in the current threat context, how technology can improve training and how he sees the future of naval training.
Flexible Training Systems
'It is a big challenge for navies to keep their training systems up to date,' says Fawkes. The training systems need to be more flexible and the navies need to make sure they are up to date. Moreover, when the real systems are updated, it can be difficult to update the training systems accordingly. There are however, examples where the same system is used for both training and real use, such as the Royal Navy’s Maritime Composite Training System originally unveiled in 2011.
Future Threats
The current complex threat context means that achieving readiness has shifted, as navies do not only need to be ready for current operations, but always looking to future threats. Fawkes: 'There is a powerful concept I heard recently from the Royal Navy: "are we ready to fight tonight and are we prepared to fight tomorrow?". Tonight refers to current operations and tomorrow the future where greater uncertainty means we need to be flexible and adaptable and ready for a variety of circumstances.'
The Most Adaptable Part of Military Capability
As the procurement process for both weapon systems and platforms is costly and lengthy, there needs to be a focus on training people with the latest information and making them flexible. 'Even in a world of greater AI (Artifical Intelligence) and computer systems, people will remain the most adaptable part of military capability and they must be given the training and education to maximise their talents and flexibility.'
