The Delta System: the Future of European Defence?

The Delta System

The Delta situational awareness system is a command and control (C2) system designed and built indigenously by Ukraine. The system was created in 2021 and presented in October 2022, as the war with Russia dragged into its eighth month. It is a classic C2 system, providing real-time situational awareness, advert troop locations, and coordination for the Ukrainian forces. The software does not require special hardware and can be run on smartphones, tablets, and laptops, enabled by information collected from uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), satellites, and human resources, such as civilians reporting troop activity.

All of this means the system is considered to be more flexible than more traditional systems sold by European defence firms. Delta is easier to use, portable, and uses a range of different information sources to create a whole picture of the battlefield. Beyond this, it aims to reach NATO standards and has achieved interoperability with NATO systems, meaning they can be used in tandem for joint operations and is trusted to connect to NATO systems. All of this means the Delta system is shaping up to be one of the most advanced C2 systems in Europe, with NATO countries considering export deals and integration into their defence systems.

Although there are noted limitations of the system, including its reliance on the internet, it would not work in internet denied environments. Also, the way data is collected, if it was to lose one of its data sources there could be gaps in its knowledge and coverage. Leaving troops unaware of developing risks and the location of enemies. By no means is it considered to be a perfect piece of software.

Ukraine as a test bed

This is another example of Ukraine acting as a test bed for new technology, a place where NATO countries can both send their systems to be tested in combat and appraise the new ingenious systems Ukraine develops to meet the changing needs of their forces. The war has shifted ideas of the future of inter-state combat, proven expensive western equipment is limited or useless in this crucible of conflict, and shown the importance of simple, flexible equipment over more complex, over-engineered options. Either way, it provides an unparalleled opportunity for the West to learn about the future of conflict, shaping the development of systems, platforms, and software for the coming years. This also means that Ukrainian battle-tested systems will likely become very sought after once the current conflict concludes, opening up the potential for a large export market for Ukraine, helping rebuild efforts. Something which is already beginning with the ‘Build with Ukraine’ initiative, allowing exports of Ukrainian technology to partner countries.

The choice to make Delta NATO interoperable is likely part of this effort from Ukraine to use this ‘test bed’ idea to push the sale of its systems.  Which brings the country closer to NATO itself, politically and practically. As there have been talks to use Delta in joint operations or even adopt it as a standard NATO system across militaries, this technological development is considered to have opened a door for Ukraine in which they can use their conflict expertise for both their political and economic gain.

Implications for Europe

The policy implications for Europe are twofold: new import options to rival their own domestic technology, and growing opportunities to test their technology. If NATO was to adopt the Delta system, or at least integrate it further into joint operations, the message would be clear to the Kremlin. They could send a political message, whilst also furthering their own combat readiness. Advanced C2 is the cornerstone of modern combat, as proven by Ukraine and this system. If the West want to counter Russia, they have to be willing to adopt simpler systems that work over more complex and expensive ‘vanity’ systems. Indeed, these expensive systems are being shown more and more to be limited, as seen in the recent conflict with the Houthis in Yemen, who downed seven MQ-9 Reaper UAVs in two weeks earlier this year, technology which is considered the most ‘advanced’ uncrewed platforms on the planet.

Ukraine is showing to the West that they must take real lessons from conflict, rather than invest in the most high-tech options possible. A large fleet of small, attritable UAVs may be more useful than a multimillion-dollar Reaper drone, just as a cheaper, more flexible C2 system may be the better option than a more complex system which requires considerable expensive hardware. Indeed, the Centre of Strategic and International Studies claimed Delta may be a rival to the US’s Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) system in development.

By investing in Ukrainian-built systems such as Delta, Europe and its partners send a political message of support to Moscow but also strengthen their own defence. Russia is learning the same lessons in Ukraine and applying this knowledge to their technology. The west has an opportunity with Ukrainian systems to do the same, future proofing its defence and keeping in step with its enemies.

The potential importance of Delta to NATO and to Ukraine itself, means this technology is distributive not just in conflict but in politics as well. Technology coming out of Ukraine has a genuine chance to shift the way modern warfare is fought; and its flexibility adapting to the realities of conflict rather than expecting conflict to adapt to it means it will likely help shape future European and NATO innovation in the C2 space.

Lauren Mason | Europe – Regional Policy Fellow