Military logistics is entering a new era—one where sustainability and resilience must work in tandem to ensure operational readiness. In a landscape defined by geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain fragility, and tightening environmental regulations, armed forces need to rethink how they approach aftermarket operations.
Author Nick Saraev
Photo: Freepik
Jon Henrik Laume Landsrød, Director of Aftermarket Services at Bertel O. Steen Defence & Security, addressed this shift in his keynote at the Sustainability in Service 2024 — Power of 50 event. He highlighted how sustainable aftermarket strategies are not just a moral choice but an operational necessity.
From scaling resources in times of crisis to minimising reliance on external suppliers, sustainability-driven logistics are shaping the future of military aftermarket services.
Why Military Logistics Requires a Different Approach
Unlike commercial industries that readily adopt IoT tracking, AI-driven diagnostics, and predictive maintenance, military organisations operate under strict data security protocols.
Equipment tracking, automated diagnostics, and wireless data transfers present cybersecurity risks, often making defence logistics highly analogue and reactive.
Example: The Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MOD) attempted to implement barcode scanning for logistics tracking. After more than a decade of development, the project was scrapped due to concerns over managing sensitive military data.
Military procurement is further complicated by public tenders, regulatory oversight, and multi-stakeholder involvement. The challenge is twofold: defence organisations need to modernise supply chains while ensuring secure, in-country maintenance and support.
Resilience Through Sustainability
For the military, sustainability is about fostering long-term operational readiness just as much as it is about reducing environmental impact.
Landsrød outlined two critical factors:
- Scalability in Crisis Situations: Armed forces need the ability to rapidly expand logistics operations in response to security threats.
- Self-Sufficiency in Wartime: Relying on foreign suppliers introduces vulnerabilities during geopolitical disruptions.
A sustainable aftermarket strategy builds operational resilience by strengthening in-country capabilities and optimising resource management.
Strategies for Sustainable Military Aftermarket Services
Defence organisations must shift from reactive fixes to proactive, sustainable aftermarket strategies to maintain long-term operational readiness. This shift involves optimising resources, strengthening supply chains, and localising maintenance to reduce downtime and reliance on external support.
1. Building In-Country Maintenance and Repair Capabilities
During crises, reliance on foreign-based service technicians is not an option. Many organisations establish local repair hubs to keep assets operational in real time.
Strategic approach:
- Train domestic service teams to handle repairs and upgrades without external dependencies.
- Partner with OEMs and defence contractors to localise maintenance infrastructure.
2. Stockpiling Critical Spare Parts
The military’s historical reliance on just-in-time logistics has proven ineffective. NATO stockpiles are currently depleted, making a shift toward just-in-case logistics essential.
Strategic approach:
- Establish regional spare part reserves to prevent shortages.
- Work with OEMs to create buffer storage facilities for critical components.
3. Extending Equipment Lifecycles
Military fleets include vehicles and equipment designed for decades of service. Rather than replacing ageing assets, life extension programmes can preserve functionality while reducing waste.
Strategic Approach:
- Implement corrosion prevention and component refurbishment initiatives.
- Salvage spare parts from decommissioned military vehicles for reuse.
4. Strengthening Supply Chain Security
Recent global disruptions—pandemics, trade restrictions, and political instability—have exposed weaknesses in traditional supply chains. Defence organisations should decentralise procurement and enhance supply chain flexibility.
Strategic approach:
- Prioritise domestic suppliers for mission-critical components.
- Reduce reliance on global supply chains through on-demand manufacturing.
The Future of On-Demand Manufacturing in Defence
A significant innovation transforming military aftermarket services is additive manufacturing (3D printing). Instead of stockpiling large volumes of spare parts, armed forces can manufacture components on-site as needed.
Why Additive Manufacturing Matters
- Faster Response Times: No need to wait for overseas shipments—components are produced instantly.
- Lower Storage Costs: Spare parts no longer require extensive warehouse space.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: Fewer shipments minimise carbon emissions.
- Enhanced Security: Locally produced parts reduce reliance on geopolitically vulnerable supply chains.
A 2015 study estimated that widespread adoption of additive manufacturing could cut global CO₂ emissions by the equivalent of 150 million cars, making it one of the most impactful sustainability solutions available.
Challenges to Sustainable Military Logistics
While sustainable aftermarket solutions present clear advantages, barriers to adoption remain.
Challenge 1: Resistance to Digitalisation
Military organisations remain cautious about automated tracking, predictive analytics, and cloud-based maintenance platforms due to cybersecurity concerns.
Solution: Develop secure, offline-enabled maintenance software that aligns with defence security protocols.
Challenge 2: High Initial Investment Costs
Stockpiling spare parts and modernising maintenance infrastructure require upfront capital investment.
Solution: Spread costs through performance-based service contracts that balance sustainability with financial feasibility.
Challenge 3: Procurement Complexity
Public tenders involve lengthy approval processes, making it difficult to integrate sustainability requirements into procurement contracts.
Solution: Have sustainability criteria align with military procurement standards to accelerate adoption.
The Competitive Advantage of Sustainable Aftermarket Services
Sustainability is now a competitive advantage in defence procurement.
Public tenders are evolving to include sustainability benchmarks, with Norway set to introduce mandatory sustainability criteria in 2025, where 30% of selection criteria in defence procurement will be based on sustainability.
Defence contractors that fail to prioritise sustainable service offerings will struggle to secure government contracts. Those that integrate circular economy principles, AI-driven maintenance, and on-demand manufacturing will gain a long-term strategic edge.
- Stronger Government Partnerships: Military clients prefer contractors that prioritise long-term resilience.
- Increased Competitive Standing: Sustainable logistics solutions differentiate suppliers by demonstrating long-term commitment to operational efficiency and resilience.
- Regulatory Compliance: Meeting sustainability benchmarks ensures future procurement eligibility.
Looking Ahead: A Resilient and Sustainable Military Aftermarket
There’s a need for military organisations and defence contractors to rethink their aftermarket strategies to stay ahead. Sustainability and resilience go hand in hand, making sure that armed forces can respond swiftly, efficiently, and cost-effectively in times of crisis.
With Syncron’s Service Lifecycle Management (SLM) platform, military logistics can integrate data-driven maintenance, predictive analytics, and circular service models—creating a future-ready approach to operational readiness.
