Pan-Domain Command and Control Concept Paper Addresses Global Security Environment

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) recently introduced the Pan-Domain Command and Control (PDC2) Concept paper, a transformative framework designed to enhance command and control (C2) across all military operations.

This new initiative addresses the evolving global security environment characterized by strategic competition, technological advancements, and multi-domain threats.

“The document emphasizes the need for a holistic, agile, and data-driven approach to decision-making and operations to address the evolving global security environment characterized by strategic competition, advanced technologies, and multi-domain threats,” reads CANFORGEN 006/25, announcing the official release of the papers.

It is expected that the implementation of this framework will require significant institutional changes across the Defence Team.

Five Interdependent Components

According to the military, the new framework is built on five interdependent components:

• people,
• processes,
• structures,
• data, and
• technology.

The framework also heavily centres around increasing the Canadian military’s C2 capabilities and adapting them “to remain relevant and effective in a complex and dangerous world.” The military admits that traditional C2 approaches, domain-specific, are insufficient in the current global environment.

The CANFORGEN goes on to state, “It calls for a shift in mindset, emphasizing leadership, adaptability, critical thinking, and calculated risk taking.”

The PDC2 Concept Paper was developed over a year with extensive input from the Department of National Defence and CAF personnel in an effort to modernize C2 management.

Aligning with Allied Nations

The other main goal of this paper is to emphasize the importance of aligning with C2 concepts of partner nations.

“Such as the US Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) and NATO Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) concepts, to ensure seamless integration and cooperation,” reads the military memo.

The CAF is actively participating in allied experimentation initiatives, such as the U.S.-led Project Olympus, to align PDC2 capabilities and enhance interoperability with key partners.

Ultimately, the hope of this new framework is to position the CAF to be able to better take on global challenges.

“The ultimate goal of the PDC2 concept is to provide the CAF with a decision and operational advantage, enabling it to compete, contest, confront, and, if necessary, defeat adversaries in a rapidly changing security landscape,” explains the CANFORGEN.

Visit here to read the paper or download the paper here.