A new report from BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence business has revealed that artificial intelligence (AI) now sits at the forefront of digital strategies for four in five (82%) defence and aerospace decision makers. The findings underscore the role of advanced technologies in ensuring mission readiness as geopolitical pressures intensify.
The research, Emerging technology behind the scenes of defence, surveyed 540 senior IT leaders, business decision makers and engineers worldwide. It found that 80% of respondents view reliable, available assets such as warships, armoured vehicles and combat aircraft as vital, with around two-thirds increasing investment in digital solutions for asset management compared to 2024.
Nearly all respondents (97%) said they face pressure to keep assets mission ready, while 81% indicated that transforming their organisation’s approach is a top priority for 2025. Among the key challenges identified were system interoperability issues and the sheer volume of data generated in modern defence operations.
Andrea Thompson, Group Managing Director at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, said:
“The rapidly evolving nature of warfare is placing heightened pressure on many of our customers to meet the demands of a constantly shifting threat landscape. That pressure includes ensuring critical assets operate at peak performance, for as long and as often as possible. To help, we’ve developed our data integration solution, PropheSEA®, which harnesses emerging innovation to ease the burden on forces and support the fast, informed decision-making today’s battlespace demands.”
PropheSEA® is already in use with the UK Royal Navy and NATO allies, enabling secure integration of data across the lifecycle of critical assets. By consolidating information on asset condition, preparedness and performance, the solution allows decision makers to cut through complexity and act quickly with confidence.
While only 12% of respondents described themselves as being at an advanced stage of digital asset management, momentum is building. In addition to AI, defence organisations are adopting standards-based technologies, big data analytics, condition-based monitoring, advanced simulation and modelling, and integrated lifecycle management tools to strengthen readiness.
The report highlights that next-generation, AI-powered systems will be essential to ensuring forces remain operationally effective in a rapidly evolving threat environment.
SOURCE NAD IMAGE: BAE SYSTEMS
