Aim

The aim of this course is to provide military and civilian personnel with the knowledge and practical understanding required to effectively employ Modelling & Simulation (M&S) capabilities in support of NATO operations, capability development, planning, experimentation, wargaming, education and training. Participants will learn how M&S requirements are identified, analyzed, validated and transformed into interoperable, capability-oriented simulation solutions that support NATO decision-making and operational effectiveness.

Course Overview

Modelling & Simulation Course (Pilot I)
26–30 October 2026 | NATO Modelling & Simulation Centre of Excellence, Rome, Italy

The Modelling & Simulation (M&S) Course is a new five-day pilot course designed to provide military and civilian personnel with a comprehensive understanding of how modelling and simulation capabilities support NATO operations, capability development, planning, experimentation, wargaming, education and training.

This brand-new course has been developed in response to emerging NATO requirements and aligns with the evolving vision for Next Generation Modelling & Simulation championed by NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT). It supports the growing demand for personnel capable of integrating advanced M&S capabilities into the capability development process and future NATO warfare development initiatives.

The course focuses on the practical application of M&S throughout the capability development process, enabling participants to understand how M&S requirements are identified, analyzed, developed, validated and translated into effective simulation-based solutions. It also introduces key principles of M&S governance, interoperability, solution development, verification and validation, and the integration of M&S within NATO processes.

Through a combination of lectures, practical examples and case studies, participants will gain an understanding of:

• Understanding the fundamentals of Modelling & Simulation and its military application domains
• Identifying, analysing and documenting M&S requirements
• Requirements validation, stakeholder coordination and data identification
• Understanding lifecycle approaches applicable to M&S capability development
• Developing capability-oriented M&S solutions and coordinating their implementation
• Research and development principles relevant to military M&S
• Emerging technologies and their impact on future M&S capabilities
• NATO M&S policy, governance and organizational framework
• Preparing and assessing M&S project proposals using practical examples

As the first pilot iteration, the course has been developed in close cooperation with leading subject matter experts from the University of Genoa, NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and the Hungarian XR Centre of Excellence, providing participants with a unique opportunity to learn from experts representing academia, NATO strategic commands and Centres of Excellence.

The course is intended for military personnel from NATO Bodies and NATO Nations. Partners include the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), NATO Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), Partners Across the Globe, and international organizations including the UN, EU and OSCE.

Rank Level: OR, OF-2 through OF-5, and civilian equivalents.