Generolo Jono Žemaičio Lietuvos karo akademija

Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) have become central to NATO’s approach to future warfare, requiring the integration of military effects across Land, Sea, Air, Cyberspace, and Space. This article analyses whether the NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP) adequately reflects the capability requirements generated by the MDO concept. Drawing on unclassified NATO documents and open sources, the study identifies structural misalignment between domain‑centric capability planning and the integrative, data‑centric demands of MDO, and outlines implications for the adaptation of NATO defence planning.

The paper examines the role of the University of Defence as the academic engine of a Multi-Domain Concept Centre supporting Multi-Domain Operations in a small-state context. Using document and comparative analysis and stakeholder workshops, it proposes a Concept Development and Experimentation–driven framework integrating doctrine, experimentation, capability planning, and education. Findings show that academic leadership enhances methodological rigor, interoperability, and knowledge transfer. The paper presents an original NATO-aligned model for sustainable multi-domain concept development.