The value of wargaming to the future delivery of professional military education (PME) has been explored at a recent Defence Academy event.
Wargaming uses innovative technology, data, and analytics to visualise different threat environments, in turn promoting strategic decision-making.
The initiative was hosted by the Joint Services Command and Staff College, building on engagement between Major General Peter Rowell, Chief Executive and Commandant of the Defence Academy, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)’s Project WIRE (Wargaming Influence and Representation of Effects) team, last November.
As part of Dstl’s Influence and Command Programme, Project WIRE seeks to promote the practice of wargaming to better represent and explore ‘influence effects’ across PME, with specific focus on:
- policy and strategy
- force development
- planning
- education and training
Following the publication of the Influence Wargaming Handbook by Project WIRE, Defence Futures, and the Joint Information Activities Group (JIAG) in 2023, Project WIRE has been generating a series of wargames based on UK and NATO doctrine. These wargames have been designed specifically to improve players’ understanding of influence-related concepts.
Attending the event, Major General Rowell said:
Air Commodore Ian Sharrocks, Director of JSCSC added:
Dstl’s Chief Wargamer, Head of the Defence Wargaming Centre and lead for Project WIRE, Colin Marston, said:
During the afternoon’s activity, directing staff from across the Defence Academy were offered hands-on experience of a total of nine games, covering themes that included:
- fundamentals of military deception
- behaviour change
- principles of influence
- strategic communications
Commander Carrie Insley, Director of Royal Navy Division said: