The European Defence Agency (EDA) signed today the contract for the Network Enabled Capabilities Implementation Study (NEC IS) that has been awarded to the EURONEC consortium.
In an increasingly complex and challenging security environment, the European Union (EU) seeks a comprehensive approach in response to any crisis by exploiting the full range of civil and military instruments. Recognising ongoing efforts in the EU, in the Member States, and in industry, Network Enabled Capabilities (NEC) could facilitate this comprehensive approach through informed and timely decision-making and coherent execution, based on the seamless and efficient sharing and exploitation of information by competent personnel, properly tailored processes, and developed networks.
Moreover, NEC is one of the 12 actions emerging from the Capability Development Plan as critical priorities for the European Union, as agreed in 2008 by the EDA participating Member States.
The study will start early 2009 and will last 18 months; it will deliver a description of what future NEC will have to achieve in terms of users, information and technology (“NEC Vision”) with the overall aim of enabling a unified effort of civilian and military actors in ESDP crisis management operations.
The value of the study is € 750.000. It will also deliver a “NEC Roadmap” with clear actions and milestones (2012, 2018 and beyond 2025) for an effective implementation of NEC.
The EURONEC consortium consists of 6 European companies, all of which have already been successfully involved in past and present NEC initiatives in Europe: BAE Systems IST ltd (UK); EADS Deutschland GmbH (Germany); Indra Sistemas S.A. (Spain); SAAB AB (Sweden), administrative leader of the project; SELEX Sistemi Integrati SPA (Italy); THALES Communications SA (France).