Arctic operations are defined by extreme distances, limited infrastructure, harsh environmental conditions, and increasing electromagnetic contestation, all of which fundamentally constrain communications availability and reliability, particularly at high latitudes where satellite systems degrade or unable to link. Consequently, Command and Control in the High North must be planned on the assumption that primary communications will be degraded or lost, requiring disciplined PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) planning fully integrated with Mission Command principles, PACE planning is therefore a crossdomain command enabler.
In this environment, PACE planning is not a CIS technical detail but a core enabler of operational coherence and decision-making. NATO’s ability to generate and synchronise effects across domains depends on decentralised execution, resilient and realistic communications planning, and commanders empowered to act within intent. Forces that prepare for intermittent connectivity, operate independently when necessary, and remain disciplined in executing intent rather than relying on continuous control will retain operational coherence and sustain decision advantage despite severe environmental constraints and persistent adversary interference.
- Design PACE plans assuming loss of Primary and even Alternate communications.
- (Re)establish HF as a credible operational and tactical C2 capability (wideband waveforms vs. fixed mode).
- Train commanders and staff to operate under prolonged communications degradation.
- Reduce data dependency, prioritise intent, control measures, and timing.
- Exercise autonomy and disconnected operations during Arctic training and exercises.
- Align PACE planning explicitly with Mission Command principles and Cross-Domain Command principles.
- Layer resilient options – Primary: military SATCOM; Alternate: UHF/VHF/HF; Contingency: commercial LEO; Emergency: low-tech backups.
- Consider hybrid LEO/MEO/HEO architectures.
- Excercise LEO denied scenarios deliberately.
- Increase (mobile) VHF/UHF repeaters for tactical land units.
- Consider standardised use of high-altitude (balloons/UAVs) platforms for signal relay.
- An adjustable mission network is requiered that can adapt to this DDIL (Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Limited) communications environment.
Download the article in HERE (pdf)
