International Scientific Conference “Mountain Warfare Environment – Experiences and Perspectives 2025” in Poland

On 3 June 2025, the Doctrine and Standardization Branch of the NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence (MW COE) led the Mountain Panel during the International Scientific Conference “Mountain Warfare Environment – Experiences and Perspectives 2025”, held in Poland.

The event underscored the close partnership between the NATO MW COE and the General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University of Land Forces. With nearly 200 participants from around the world, most of whom were cadets, the Mountain Panel offered the younger generation a comprehensive overview of future challenges associated with operations in mountainous environments.

Following an introduction to the vision, mission, history and structure of the NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence (MW COE), attendees were briefed on the Centre’s doctrinal efforts and latest publications. These included brochures on key topics such as Risk Management, Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), and the Mountain Cell, as well as updates on mountain-related NATO standards—the so-called lighthouse projects of the MW COE.

In addition, the audience learned about the Pack Animal Centre in Germany, the Mountain Training Initiative, and the principles of parachuting in mountain environments. The session concluded with a forward-looking presentation on Mountain Warfare 2040, which highlighted how emerging technologies are expected to fundamentally reshape the principles of mountain warfare.

During the panel discussion at the conclusion of the event, the audience agreed that—with a new area of interest emerging in the High North, an increasing demand for resources originating in mountainous terrain and the growing strategic relevance of critical infrastructure in mountain-dominated regions—the importance of troops capable of operating in mountain and cold weather environments will be essential to NATO’s future force structure.