Cooperating for Capability
Life Cycle Management – The Key Enabler from Investment to Combat Power
Chaired by:
Thomas E. Pedersen (Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation – DALO) and
Andreas Kirchhofer (Global Head of System Life Cycle Management)
The last year has seen nations across Europe scramble to increase their military capabilities, strength and readiness against a backdrop of emerging threats, uncertainties, and reevaluation of existing relationships. Speed is of the essence, and ambitious plans and investments of heretofore unseen dimensions are being announced. New partnerships and modes of cooperation are being formed, and old ones are reinforced and reinvigorated, between governments, and between governments and industry.
Life Cycle Management (LCM) remains the key enabler in turning these plans and investments into actual combat power in the hands of the warfighter. Operational Availability of Systems and a sound System-of- Systems design, all across the value chain, are key elements for a sustainable allocation and use of capabilities. The annual NATO LCM Conference will present new visions, innovative approaches, developments, lessons learned, and achievements made by representatives of government, military, industry, and NATO in applying LCM as a basis for new and innovative approaches.
The event will again be organized in cooperation with the NATO Life Cycle Management Group (AC/327) and the NATO Industrial Advisory Group at the Holiday Inn Brussels Airport on 20/21 January 2026.
Scope of the Conference
According to NATO’s Systems Life Cycle Management (SLCM) policy the main goal of systems life cycle management is to deliver, use and maintain NATO capabilities efficiently and effectively. The application of SLCM is based on the following principles: Commitment to Systems Life Cycle Management, Cooperation and Interoperability, Efficiency, Collaboration with Industry, and Quality.
Considering these general principles, the 21st NATO LCM Conference will provide a platform for the presentation of innovative approaches and concepts in support of effective materiel management.
In addition to specialist presentations and papers the conference will provide ample opportunity for the exchange of information between and among experts, programme managers and decision makers from the nations’ armed forces, defence administration and industry.
The presentations will be supplemented by an exhibition, where interested parties are invited to showcase their respective capabilities. The publication European Defence & Security will be dedicated to the topic and provide the opportunity for advertising and/or marketing reports. In case of interest in the exhibition or advertising you will receive the special package.
For this event the organizer Mittler Report offers sponsorship, exhibition, advertising and branding packages, uniquely tailored to complement your company’s marketing strategy.
Program (2026)
Main topic:
Cooperating for Capability
Life Cycle Management – The Key Enabler from Investment to Combat Power
Call for Papers phase has started!
The papers/briefings are to present status reports and results as well as expert analysis of current and future LCM, LCC and ILS implementation projects.
Today, the military environment is increasingly influenced and characterized by cooperative models, the development of application of artificial intelligence, data driven analysis and machine learning, innovative economical schemes, and the need for environmentally friendly solutions. In response to that, presenters are encouraged to also consider related aspects of their subject.
- Those interested in giving one or more presentation(s) in accordance with the theme of the
conference are requested to submit their abstract(s) in an electronic format (email); - The time slots for the presentations are limited to 20-30 min. incl. 5-10 min. discussion time;
- Abstracts should not exceed 10-15 lines and should briefly address the subject and objective of the presentation;
- Your abstract submission should include the title(s) of the presentation(s), name and position of the speaker, organization and full address with phone number and email address.
- Deadline for the submission of abstracts: 30 August 2025.
following which information on the selected papers and further information will be circulated.
Points of Contact
Please send abstracts to the PoCs below. AC/327 will be pleased to advise you on the content of your paper, whereas Mittler Report Verlag oversees all organizational aspects.
Mittler Report Verlag
Renate Herrmanns
Phone: +49 228-3500880
Email: lcm@mittler-report.de
AC/327
Thomas Espelund Pedersen M.Sc., Ph.D.
Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation
Phone: + 45 728-15827
Email: tep@mil.dk
Contact
For any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the organiser.
Mittler Report Verlag GmbH
Beethovenallee 21
53173 Bonn
Service
Phone: +49 (0)228-3500-880
Fax: +49 (0)228-3500-871
Email: lcm@mittler-report.de
Your contact persons
Location:
The next conference will take place in the spacious meeting room of the Holiday Inn Brussels Airport
Should the conference have to be cancelled the liability of Mittler Report Verlag is limited to the delegate fee.
By registering, you agree that Mittler Report Verlag may use the photos and film material taken before, during or after the event in both online and print format for press and public relations purposes for an unlimited period of time. If you do not agree to the recording and publication of pictures of yourself, please notify the organizer immediately at the beginning of the event. You will then be assigned separate places.
HOLIDAY INN BRUSSELS AIRPORT
Holidaystraat 7
1831 Brussels
Belgium
Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/@50.8845,4.4414,19z?entry=ttu
The hotel offers special rates of 164 € a night/p. person for conference delegates and speakers. These prices include breakfast, parking and/or free shuttle bus to/from the airport and free use of WLAN and sport facilities. The accommodation has to be registered and paid individually.
Link: https://www.holidayinn.com/
Prices
Early-Bird until 15th of October
Commercial Participants
- 1st Participant: € 975 (Early-Bird-Price until 15 October: € 925)
- 2nd Participant: € 930 (Early-Bird-Price until 15 October: € 880)
- 3rd Participant ff.: € 890 (Early-Bird-Price until 15 October: € 840)
(plus 21 % Belgian VAT)
Government Armed Forces
- 1st Participant: € 375
- 2nd Partcipant: € 325
- 3rd Participant: ff. € 290
(plus 21 % Belgian VAT)
