Adapting to a changing world: The Pan-Domain Command and Control Concept (PDC2)

January 24, 2024 – Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 2:30

By: Chief of Combat System Integration, PDC2 team.

The world is changing, and new challenges are emerging. Adversaries are challenging the rules-based international order that have kept us safe and prosperous for decades. Coupled with accelerating disruptors such as climate change and advancing technology, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) must modernize now, or risk becoming obsolete and irrelevant to our allies. Without action, we risk falling behind. Geographical security can no longer be taken for granted as threats arise in every domain.

Introducing the Pan-Domain Command and Control (PDC2) Concept

The Pan-Domain Command and Control (PDC2) Concept Paper, recently endorsed by the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), offers a new approach to coordinating command and control (C2) across all military operations. It emphasizes collaboration across all areas of government to achieve clear and unified outcomes. The PDC2 Concept explains how the CAF must evolve to address today’s global security challenges, building on the Pan-Domain Force Employment Concept, which identified the need for change.

Developed over a year with input from a weeklong forum and feedback from 480 reviewers across the Department of National Defence (DND) and CAF, the PDC2 Concept Paper provides a detailed plan to improve how Command and Control (C2) is managed.

Key features of PDC2

PDC2 is designed to:

• Enhance pan-domain situational awareness: Understand what is happening across all domains.
• Link sensors and sources to decision makers: Ensure decision-makers have the information they need when they need it.
• Enable pan-domain operations with national security partners: Work closely with security partners across Canada.
• Support a national campaigning approach: Coordinate efforts on a national level to address security challenges.

PDC2 is a capability that brings together the right mix of people, processes, structures, data, and technology.

Collaboration with allies and partners

Canada’s closest allies recognize that evolving threats require new strategies to compete, contest, and defeat adversaries. The Defence Team is already leading Canadian participation in exercises and experiments to develop PDC2 capabilities and improve “Day Zero” interoperability with key partners like the Five Eyes (FVEY) including the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and others.

As General M.A.J. Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, explained, “Day Zero interoperability at the service level is no longer sufficient to effectively defend Canada’s security interests.” Collaboration with a wide range of partners is critical to creating effective C2 systems.

Preparing for the Future

A siloed approach to PDC2 is not fast or agile enough to address today’s threats, let alone those we expect in the future. The digital era demands new tools and strategies. Modernizing command and control systems now, in partnership with our allies, will strengthen deterrence and give Canada a critical decision-making advantage.

Achieving this vision will require significant changes across the Defence Team. Leadership, adaptability, critical thinking, and calculated risk-taking will be essential. Embracing new technologies and evolving processes will also be key to our success.

Take Action!

Be part of the solution — read the concept paper today and explore the vignettes to see how it will transform CAF Command and Control.