NATO Chooses HAVELSAN to Power the Brain of Modern Military Communications

NATO has taken a decisive step to strengthen its digital battlefield coordination by selecting HAVELSAN to supply a highly critical capability: the Tactical Data Link (TDL) Management Center Network Planning Software. Often described as the “brain” or even the “central nervous system” of modern armed forces, this software ensures that diverse military units can operate as a single, synchronized force across air, land, and sea.

At the core of modern warfare lies information dominance. Sensors, platforms, and command centers constantly exchange data, including unit locations, target tracks, radar plots, and threat assessments. Without a robust system to plan, manage, and optimize this information flow, even the most advanced platforms risk operating in isolation. NATO’s decision underscores how vital this software has become for alliance-wide interoperability.

The Digital Nervous System of the Battlefield

Tactical Data Links form the invisible connections that allow friendly forces to “see” the same operational picture. Aircraft, naval vessels, air defense systems, land-based radars, missile batteries, and command-and-control centers all rely on these links to share real-time tactical information. However, these systems do not all speak the same digital language by default.

Different platforms use different protocols, such as Link 11, Link 16, Link-22, VMF, and JREAP, each with its own technical constraints, cryptographic requirements, and frequency of usage. The TDL Management Center acts as a multifunctional hub where these links are designed, coordinated, and monitored. Within this ecosystem, the Network Planning Software plays a decisive role by determining who communicates with whom, through which link, using which frequencies, encryption methods, and timing plans.

This planning is not a simple configuration task. Radio frequencies are limited, contested, and vulnerable to congestion or interference. The software must ensure maximum efficiency while maintaining resilience, security, and redundancy across the entire operational network.

Why Network Planning Software Is Mission-Critical

The complexity of joint and combined operations means that communication failures can quickly translate into operational risk. The Network Planning Software developed by HAVELSAN enables planners to anticipate these challenges before a mission even begins. By modeling communication flows in advance, the system prevents network bottlenecks, reduces the risk of data loss, and ensures that no friendly unit is left outside the shared tactical picture.

Equally important is continuity under combat conditions. If certain units drop out of the network due to damage, terrain masking, or electronic warfare, predefined alternatives allow the network to keep functioning. This ensures uninterrupted situational awareness even in highly dynamic and hostile environments.

Such capabilities directly help prevent friendly fire incidents. When all units share the same, updated operational picture, commanders can distinguish friendly elements from potential threats with far greater confidence. Moreover, the speed of data exchange means that information from a sensor, such as radar detecting a hostile target, can be transmitted to the weapon system tasked with engagement within seconds.

NATO’s Urgent Requirement and Selection Process

Recognizing the operational urgency, NATO classified the acquisition of the Tactical Data Link Network Planning Software as a Crisis Period Urgent Requirement. The project was aligned with the NATO Capability Development framework and aimed to support Joint Interface Control Officers (JICOs) responsible for managing complex multi-link environments during NATO operations.

To meet this need, the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) issued a Request for Information and invited qualified companies to demonstrate their solutions. During live demonstrations evaluated by NATO experts, HAVELSAN’s solution achieved the highest technical score among all contenders.

Following extensive assessments, NCIA concluded that the “JICO Automated TDL Tool” should be procured from HAVELSAN as a single-source solution. This decision was subsequently approved by the NATO Investment Committee, paving the way for formal contracting.

A Strategic Contract with Long-Term Impact

The contract between HAVELSAN and NCIA was officially signed on 18 December 2025, marking a significant milestone in NATO–Türkiye defense cooperation. The agreement not only addresses an immediate operational gap but also strengthens NATO’s long-term ability to conduct joint and combined operations across multiple domains.

By automating and optimizing multi-link planning tasks, the software reduces the workload on JICOs while increasing accuracy and responsiveness. It transforms a traditionally labor-intensive and error-prone process into a streamlined, resilient digital workflow.

Enabling Interoperability Across Generations of Systems

One of the most powerful aspects of the TDL Management Center Network Planning Software is its ability to bridge technological generations. Platforms built decades apart can still operate together seamlessly, sharing the same tactical picture despite differences in hardware, software, or national origin.

All transmitted data is encrypted, resistant to jamming, and protected against interference, ensuring high levels of security in contested electromagnetic environments. As modern conflicts increasingly extend into the information and electronic warfare domains, this resilience becomes as critical as armor or firepower.

NATO’s selection of HAVELSAN highlights not only the growing importance of software-driven defense capabilities but also the strategic value of intelligent network orchestration in modern warfare.