Ongoing monitoring across today's battlefields is compelling NATO commanders to revise their strategies for command and control while breaking up oversized troop groups that might become prime targets for opposing air attacks.

French Adm. Pierre Vandier, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, explained to Business Insider that persistent observation and rising strike threats deep behind lines are prompting forces to scatter units and steer clear of needless buildups.

As the officer responsible for alliance modernization among its two main strategic leaders, Vandier noted that NATO is updating its command and control methods.

We are only at the start of this shift, Vandier remarked. His views align with statements from other senior Western officials on the importance of spreading out command nodes.

In Ukraine, unmanned systems constantly observe front areas and have formed a kill zone extending many miles across. Within this space, any motion is spotted and engaged rapidly. Troops now travel less by vehicle and move on foot more often, maintaining spacing to boost survival odds.

Both Ukraine and Russia have mostly stopped concentrating large numbers of soldiers close to the front. Planning missions, directing artillery, and running air defenses now occur well back or are hidden and conducted while relocating.

Even farther rearward, Ukraine continues to emphasize spreading out assets to shield them from extended-range Russian missile and drone hits. This same risk has led defense firms to disperse sites and relocate some work below ground.

Western and Ukrainian defense figures have cautioned that NATO should adopt comparable dispersal methods, especially for its sizable headquarters, given worries over possible clashes with Russia and its long-range arms.

NATO forces have depended for years on big command sites housing hundreds of staff who prepare reports and analyze data for leaders. Vandier indicated these habits are ending.

Cloud-based data tools can now hold information and generate insights without requiring large groups in single locations, Vandier added.

NATO's move to a more spread-out model supported by fresh technology is advancing. In March 2025 the alliance obtained the Maven Smart System from Palantir Technologies to incorporate artificial intelligence and speed decisions.

There is a C2 renewal under way, Vandier said, referring to command and control.

Large centers have shown vulnerability in the extended Iran conflict. Tehran has struck the US Navy headquarters in Bahrain and a key air center in Qatar plus other American sites using missiles and drones.

US forces are advancing new command initiatives to update processes and accelerate choices. The software emphasis may further support decentralizing traditional large gatherings.

Western militaries are also testing dispersed air operations, following Ukraine's example with its Soviet-era and newer Western jets. The US Air Force terms this Agile Combat Operations.

NATO aircraft have trained for years to operate from highways and alternate strips to lessen dependence on fixed bases that are easy targets. These tactics recall certain Cold War approaches.