Data as a Strategic Asset for Defence

As Defence accelerates towards an integrated, digital-first force, data is increasingly recognised as a strategic asset. Yet data alone does not create advantage. To support faster, more informed decisions, Defence requires validated intelligence that can be integrated across systems, domains and partners.

Drawing on discussions with senior Defence and industry stakeholders, this white paper explores how commercial defence and security data can serve as foundational digital infrastructure—supporting force design, operational planning and AI-enabled decision-making.

What You'll Learn

• Why Defence leaders are treating data as critical digital infrastructure rather than simply an intelligence input.
• The characteristics of decision-grade data, including validation standards, transparency and trust.
• How unclassified commercial intelligence can accelerate force design, planning and multi-domain operations.
• Best practices for enabling the ingestion, exploitation and governance of validated data across Defence systems.
• How Defence can operationalise AI using assured data foundations to reduce cognitive burden and accelerate decision-making.