Report shows 82% defence decision-makers prioritise AI
A latest study by BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence division has indicated a significant trend among defence and aerospace leaders, with 82% identifying AI as a central element of their digital strategies.
The research underscores the sector’s commitment to utilising advanced technologies to maintain a competitive edge.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Find out more
The report, which surveyed 540 IT and business executives and engineers worldwide, focuses on the readiness of defence assets and the technological hurdles faced by industry professionals.
It underscores that 80% of participants consider the availability and reliability of assets such as warships, armoured vehicles, and combat aircraft essential in the light of increasing geopolitical tensions.
Consequently, around two-thirds of the respondents said they intend to make investments in digital asset management solutions in the current year compared to 2024.
Findings from the study titled “Emerging technology behind the scenes of defence” reveal that 97% of decision-makers feel compelled to ensure their assets are always prepared for missions.
Additionally, 81% recognise the transformation of their organizational processes as a critical objective for 2025, confronting challenges like system interoperability issues and overwhelming data volumes.
BAE Systems digital intelligence business group managing director Andrea Thompson said: “The rapidly evolving nature of warfare is placing heightened pressure on many of our customers to meet the demands of a constantly shifting threat landscape. That pressure includes ensuring critical assets operate at peak performance, for as long and as often as possible.
“To help, we’ve developed our data integration solution, PropheSEA, which harnesses emerging innovation to ease the burden on forces and support the fast, informed decision-making today’s battlespace demands. Next generation, AI-powered solutions can help to overcome key data challenges – ultimately ensuring that assets remain warfighting ready amid a new era of threat.”
The study underscores the demand for sophisticated asset management systems like BAE Systems AI-enabled PropheSEA.
Currently implemented by the UK Royal Navy and Nato partners, PropheSEA allows for the secure integration of asset-related data.
The report also points out that only 12% of respondents believe they have reached an advanced stage in implementing such digital solutions, indicating significant growth potential.
Despite this, there is evidence of positive progress with organisations incorporating AI into their strategies and adopting technologies like standards-based systems, big data analytics, condition-based monitoring, simulation tools, and integrated product support mechanisms.
