Thales to Deliver Phase 3 of the NATO Common Operational Picture Programme

Thales has been awarded a contract by NATO to deliver Phase 3 of the NATO Common Operational Picture (NCOP) programme, which will include new ballistic missile defence (BMD) features aimed at bolstering protection against evolving missile threats.

The latest phase, known as NCOP-BMD, is intended to give NATO commanders a single, real-time view of the battlespace—helping improve awareness, planning, and coordination across land, air and naval forces operating in complex environments.

According to Thales, the updated software system will provide secure access to multiple Common Operational Pictures (COPs) built from a range of georeferenced data sources. These COPs aggregate and correlate operational information from diverse command systems to support faster and more effective decision-making.

The move extends Thales' involvement with the NCOP programme, which began in 2012 and now supports around 30 NATO command centres.

Phase 3 of NCOP introduces new capabilities specifically focused on ballistic missile threats. NATO says the need for improved defence against ballistic missiles has grown in recent years, particularly for European member states.

The NCOP-BMD system will offer commanders a real-time display of key elements such as friendly and enemy force locations, logistics, ongoing operations, and possible future action plans—all within a unified digital environment.

By integrating data from across domains, the updated NCOP platform is expected to enhance NATO’s information superiority and operational effectiveness during joint missions.