ENVIRONMENT
known, many long-term questions remain
unclear. In the coming months, officials
at the Department of National Defence
(DND) will be tasked, in part, with op-
erationalizing this process and proposing
options. The list of areas requiring invest-
ment—whether in hardware, software,
critical infrastructure, training, or person-
nel—is extensive.
One relatively niche but emerging ca-
pability that is often overlooked is the
synthetic environment (SE). Unlike tra-
ditional, siloed training methods, the SE
uses immersive, digitally enabled tools to
simulate realistic operational conditions
and scenarios for training, planning, and
testing. When effectively implemented,
synthetic environments can optimize how
soldiers learn, reduce costs, enhance in-
teroperability both within and across ser-
vices, and improve the realism of exercises.
These capabilities are important because
they can significantly boost Canada's force
readiness and help align Canada with its
Five Eyes (FVEY) and NATO allies, who
are increasingly adopting the SE as a cen-
tral element of their wider defence mod-
ernization efforts.
www.vanguardcanada.com DECEMBER 2025/JANUARY 2026 13
S Y N T H E T I C E N V I R O N M E N T
One relatively niche but
emerging capability
that is oen overlooked
is the synthetic
environment (SE).
Unlike traditional, siloed
training methods, the
SE uses immersive,
digitally enabled tools
to simulate realistic
operational conditions
and scenarios for
training, planning, and
testing.
