NATO has selected HAVELSAN, one of Türkiye’s leading defense industry companies, to supply the Tactical Data Link (TDL) Management Center Network Planning Software, often described as the “brain of military communications” in modern armed forces. This strategic decision places a core element of NATO’s command, control, and communications infrastructure in the hands of Turkish engineers.

The Tactical Data Link Management Center functions as the central nervous system of modern military operations. The Network Planning Software used within this center enables seamless coordination between air, land, and naval forces by ensuring that all friendly elements share a common operational picture. Early warning and command-and-control centers, airborne early warning aircraft, fighter jets, naval platforms, radar systems, ground units, and missile systems continuously exchange critical data such as positions, target information, and radar tracks.

These platforms often operate using different communication protocols, including Link 11, Link 16, Link-22, VMF, and JREAP, each representing a different “language” within a limited communications infrastructure. The Network Planning Software acts as an intelligent core, determining in advance who will communicate, via which link, with what network design, encryption method, frequency, and timing. This advanced planning ensures efficient use of scarce radio frequencies and prevents data congestion during operations.

NATO initiated the procurement process under an urgent operational requirement, aiming to automate multi-link planning tasks carried out by Joint Interface Control Officers (JICO) serving at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). To meet this need, the NATO Communications and Information Agency NCIA issued a Request for Information and invited candidate companies to a live technical demonstration.

HAVELSAN’s Tactical Data Link Network Planning Software achieved the highest technical score during evaluations conducted by NATO representatives. Following these assessments, NCIA decided to procure the “JICO Automated TDL Tool” as a single-source acquisition from HAVELSAN. The decision was approved by the NATO Investment Committee, and the contract was officially signed on 18 December 2025.

The software enables uninterrupted network operations even if some units temporarily leave the network, prevents friendly units from remaining in communication blind spots, and significantly reduces the risk of fratricide. Thanks to rapid and secure data sharing, target information detected by a radar can be transmitted within seconds to the missile system tasked with engagement. All communications are encrypted and resistant to jamming, ensuring a high level of operational security across NATO missions.