24 July 2025
Amid the backrooms of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, a significant first occurrence is highlighting the trust between the exercise partners.
Twelve partner nations have joined to create the first-ever Multinational Information Operations Centre (MIOC).
Created for the Talisman Sabre exercise series, the MIOC weaves together the complex relationships of national authorities needed to create a cohesive capability.
Information Operations (IO) within the Indo-Pacific area of operation uses information-related capabilities and activities that layer effects while protecting friendly forces and operations.
Ultimately, IO aims to gain a competitive edge by shaping the information environment and influencing perceptions and actions.
With over 80 personnel from 12 nations working in the MIOC, a key achievement has been the integration of the many national perspectives.
Canadian Army planning officer Major Kai Hesser said the MIOC demonstrated the determination of multiple nations to work together.
“This allows us to form a cohesive and unified perspective, and effectively plan information operations,” Major Hesser said.
“Within this one capability, we can address the opinions and concerns of our partners, and demonstrate to an international audience our strategic partnership and resolve.”
Through military manoeuvre and unique specialised capabilities, the MIOC has the ability to project and deliver their multinational effects across vast distances.
'This global partnership underlines the emerging interest with which IO is taken by professional militaries due the rapid evolution of technology.'
Integrated with agreed objectives, the MIOC can be proactive rather than reactive, enabling manoeuvrability in the information space, a domain that is in a constant state of evolution.
The origins of IO predates the introduction of the written word.
Inevitably, all military actions, whether implied or actual, have used information operations to deter military action or give the victor a winning advantage.
In the 21st century, IO uses a diverse range of activities, including cyber, space, operational security, signature management, and electronic magnetic operations to create desired effects.
It is a growth industry, with nations seeking to build their own capabilities as they understand the impacts of IO in contemporary conflicts and during peacetime military operations.
'The contribution of each nation demonstrates the strength of our partnerships and of our willingness to co-operate.'
The MIOC’s US Army co-director, Lieutenant Colonel Katherine Redding, said a key feature of the MIOC had been the involvement of global partners, including European nations.
“This creation of the MIOC is a significant achievement, as it has demonstrated the trust that partner nations have to work in an environment that includes unique perspectives and ideas that can be turned into state-of-the-art capabilities and innovative approaches,” Lieutenant Colonel Redding said.
“This global partnership underlines the emerging interest with which IO is taken by professional militaries due the rapid evolution of technology.
“It also addresses the requirement to increase education across the force, so we can identify multinational solutions to persistent threats in the information environment.”
Lieutenant Colonel Redding said information operations were very complex to understand and grasp.
“Every country has their own definitions and understanding of the capability that must be fully coordinated so that it can be properly planned and integrated into all military operations,” she said.
“The movement of forces, their actions, inactions, and their capabilities all tell a story. It’s the MIOC’s responsibility to tell the story that brings all of these events together to create opportunities to project a unified narrative that properly communicates the interest of all the participating countries.”
Australian Army MIOC co-director, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Power, said the success of the MIOC could be found in the diversity of the nations involved.
“Every nation’s unique perspective is allowing us to better understand cultures, interests, and topics that resonate in the information environment,” Lieutenant Colonel Power said.
“The contribution of each nation demonstrates the strength of our partnerships and of our willingness to co-operate.
“We look forward to Exercise Talisman Sabre 27 and the opportunities it will provide.”
