Whether a defence force is involved in disaster relief, domestic security, or active combat, efficiency is necessary to offset risk and guarantee success in the field. In recent decades, defence organisations have been following the lead of digitally transformed civilian agencies and businesses in managing their resources, leading to remarkable efficiency gains.

Most notably, defence forces have been turning to "smart facilities" that leverage advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and automation. As in civilian organisations, these advanced technologies can offer defence forces interconnected and responsive environments that reduce delays and improve organisational visibility. In practical terms, such systems conserve and amplify resources, resulting in more effective defence and security without needing to dramatically increase recruitment or equipment acquisitions.

These developments cannot come at a better time as defence establishments around the world face multiple challenges in creating credible security postures. In particular, recruitment shortfalls, spending-averse governments, and the rising cost of equipping personnel are making the maintenance of robust fighting forces more expensive than it used to be.

In countries that have already implemented them, tech-enabled smart facilities are already proving to be a game-changer. The use of advanced technologies has transformed the way defence organisations operate, resulting in leaner yet more capable forces. Here’s how next-generation facilities are leading defence organisations forward:

1. Improved Inventory Management

The sheer quantities of assets that defence forces need to be tracked often serve to hide malfeasance and clerical errors alike. Unfortunately, misplacement and pilferage are especially grave in defence contexts, given the multiple national security implications of such losses.

Today, military stockpiles are increasingly being tagged with RFIDs and IoT sensors to allow quartermasters to track the whereabouts of virtually any asset in real time. With judicious implementation, these systems guarantee that critical equipment is always accounted for and available when needed.

2. Streamlined Logistics and Supply Chain Management

For modern defence forces, any improvement in logistics directly equates to an expansion in real-world capabilities. With modern AI and data analytics technologies, defence forces can better optimise logistics and supply chain processes, ensuring timely delivery of supplies and potentially saving lives in the process. Simultaneously, the minimisation of human inputs in logistics reduces expensive errors, making it easier for defence forces to sustainably maintain operational efficiency, wherever they may be located.

3. Always On-Time Maintenance

In modern defence forces, every facility and piece of equipment has a maintenance schedule that must be closely adhered to in order to guarantee optimal functionality. Because defence forces typically maintain thousands of different discrete equipment types, staying on top of these schedules can be a serious challenge.

IoT sensors are now increasingly being deployed to monitor equipment and infrastructure, streamlining maintenance on everything from base plumbing and electricals to detecting airframe fatigue on combat aircraft. These systems can offload much of the drudgery of maintenance work and reliably flag potential issues before a failure occurs. Over the long haul, such systems reduce downtime and ensure that critical systems are available whenever they are needed.

4. Contactless Security Systems

AI-powered security systems are already helping border and customs officers detect known criminals and other potential security threats in real time. These systems can unobtrusively scan large crowds and flag individuals based on biometrics and other types of information. At airports and other transportation hubs, these systems can perform hands-off initial screening, avoiding unpleasant delays for passengers and allowing relatively small numbers of security personnel to focus on the most likely threats. Similar technologies are already being used in bases and controlled areas to offer refined yet robust access control.

5. Enhanced Training Simulations

Live exercises are a necessary but expensive part of maintaining readiness. However, the fuel and munitions costs of these exercises often prevent cash-strapped defence forces from developing the skills they need to ensure success in the field.

Fortunately, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies can offset these costs by giving personnel an economical and less risky way to hone necessary skills. Some forms of these technologies have been in use for decades, particularly for training aviators. However, modern training facilities are now able to provide realistic training environments for almost all roles. This allows personnel to safely refine their skills while also reducing the need for frequent live exercises.

The Positive Impact of Smart Facilities on Defence Operations

Smart facilities are already revolutionising both support and combat activities in defence organisations, optimising resource management and taking human fallibility out of already critical or risky decisions. Even today, these technologies are not only helping militaries become more cost-effective than they’ve ever been but they’re also ensuring that the next generation of defence forces are truly capable of effectively meeting any challenge. As more defence organisations continue to invest in emerging smart technologies, they may eventually find new ways to mitigate and solve the immense challenges of training and provisioning personnel.