A Systemic Analysis of Military Equipment Acquisition Among NATO Suppliers: A Proof of Concept Based on a Multi-Layered DSS Approach

Abstract

The analysis of military weapon or equipment acquisition is facing numerous challenges, such as rapidly changing and advancing technologies, several cost dimensions including investment costs, maintenance, or upgrading as well as public interests. Due to the significant monetary investments required, a transparent and understandable acquisition process is needed. Therefore, especially defense acquisition among NATO partners for the increase of overall efficiency is a desirable goal. We propose a systemic approach, conceptualized under NATO supplying regulations, capable of analyzing the acquisition process of military equipment over multiple layers among NATO partners. The layers differ in their dimensions of analysis. The approach is demonstrated in the paper at hand based on a proof of concept, using artificial data.