How IT in DOD’s European Deterrence Initiative (EDI) Supports Ukraine Assistance

Key Takeaways

• The EDI is one of the investments that have helped set the stage for the U.S.’ ability to support Ukraine from Poland and Hungary.
• Congress is asking for more funding, some of which will likely boost EDI
• Technology plays a major role in DOD capabilities under this program

Congress is currently fashioning legislation that could authorize at least $10B in funding in response to the crisis in Ukraine. One of the major conduits for this funding, should it be approved, is the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI). The EDI falls under the Enduring Requirements bucket of what used to be called Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding, and the Department of Defense (DOD) requested $3.7B for it in fiscal 2022, a number that is sure to rise in the face of new needs.

For those unsure about its objectives, the EDI has five goals:

• To fund increased U.S. military presence in Europe
• To provide additional exercises and training with allies and partners
• To enhance the pre-positioning of U.S. equipment in Europe
• To improve infrastructure for greater readiness; and
• To build allied and partner capacity

Built into each of these objectives is funding (i.e., appropriations) separated into Operations and Maintenance, Procurement, and Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) buckets. Since we do not know what shape the final bill being constructed by Congress will take, today’s post examines the funding for information technology programs listed under Procurement that the DOD has already requested. Many of these programs could see a boost in funding once Congress passes legislation providing additional appropriations for the EDI. Spending on these programs also tends to be contractor-addressable since the DOD requires industry expertise and support for these systems. Lastly, I’ve included the budgets requested for programs that have IT embedded in them.

Here are all of the identified programs in a single table. Details on a select number (generally the largest programs) are discussed below.

Program Details

Navy

Fixed Surveillance system (FSS): The only Military Department (MILDEP) other than the Army to request Procurement funding for an IT program related to the EDI, the Navy requested $85M for the Fixed Surveillance System. Details about the FSS are classified, but the little public information about that exists says it consists of sensor technologies used to detect adversary submarine activity.

Army

Multi-National Information Sharing (MNIS): A part of the Installation Information Infrastructure Modernization (IMOD) Program, the MNIS enables the secure sharing of operational and intelligence information, enhancing collaboration between U.S. forces, allies, and other multinational partners. This effort also increases overall combat effectiveness by leveraging capabilities and information from all partners.

Information Systems Infrastructure Enhancements: This provides the IT infrastructure requirements for common user voice, data, video networks in support of the U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR). Resources will be located at sites throughout Poland.

Automated Data Processing Equipment (ADPE): Investments that support the Army’s sustaining base automation systems. For U.S. European Command (EUCOM), the Combatant Command that oversees the EDI, ADPE funding is for modernization of the Joint Operations Center (JOC) at Patch Barracks to  improve operational network capabilities and system reliability. The JOC “will integrate emerging technologies to optimize COCOM coordination, collaboration, and interoperability with adjacent and subordinate commands. This effort will implement multi-enclave client back-end infrastructure, integrate additional coalition feeds into the JOC, upgrade back-end processing capabilities, and share C2 capabilities with alternate JOC locations and data resiliency sites in the United Kingdom and in Italy, to support contingency and crisis operations.”

Defense Enterprise Wideband Satellite Communications Systems (DEWSS): This program “provides Super High Frequency wideband with Anti-Jam military satellite communications readiness and resiliency supporting critical national strategic and tactical Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I) requirements.” Base Procurement funding “supports modernization of the Direct Communications Link (DCL) software suite to support modern computers, network hardware and operating systems. Funding provides integration, installation and training support for software and associated hardware.”

Concluding Thought

While there is no guarantee these specific programs will see additional funding in the new bill being prepared by Congress, the programs discussed above are the important pieces of the DOD’s planned EDI investment in FY 2022. It is therefore most likely that these priorities will be the first ones funded as opposed to new programs not already identified by the department.

Check out the new Market Brief from Federal Market Analysis on The Ukraine Conflict and U.S. Support.