INTEGRATION OF WARGAMING INTO PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION:A DIAGNOSTIC STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2217.2026.66.5-10Keywords:
professional military education, digital transformation, NATO, Bi-SC 075-007, content analysis, simulation modellling, artificial intelligence, wargamingAbstract
Background. The article examines the integration of wargaming into the system of Professional Military Education (PME) in Ukraine as a component of digital transformation in accordance with NATO standards. The problem addressed is the lack of scientific substantiation for the integration of wargaming into the PME system. The aim of the study is to justify the role of wargaming as a component of digital transformation and to develop a three-level integration framework.
Methods. Five research methods were applied: content analysis of 79 regulatory and legal acts with three-stage verifications; a comprehensive review of PME course catalogues (over 13,000 entries), comparison with the Bi-SC 075-007 benchmark (2025 edition); case study analysis, and comparative analysis of the models implemented in Lithuania, Finland, and the Scandinavian countries. The empirical basis was supplemented by a bibliometric dataset consisting of 151 Scopus publications (Score 7–14, 2019–2026).
Results. The diagnostic analysis revealed doctrinal recognition without operationalisation: wargaming is recognized as a type of educational activity (Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, 2024), and a dedicated simulation modelling unit has been established (Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, 2025); however, none of the course catalogues include wargaming as an educational product. Category D7 (AI/XR/Simulation) demonstrated only 11 % coverage. A three-level framework was proposed: tabletop wargaming; computer-assisted exercises (CAX); and AI-supported wargaming.
Conclusions.The proposed framework is based on the existing regulatory framework and the combat experience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The initial implementation steps include the adoption of Bi-SC 075-007 standards, the preparation of a cohort of facilitators through NATO DEEP and NATO School Oberammergau programmes, and the inclusion of wargaming modules in PME course catalogues.
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