Defence Online

New simulation capability to boost UK defence

Homeland January 15, 2026

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has significantly enhanced its strategic advantage through the development of two new modelling and simulation tools, NEMESIS and ARCUS, designed to provide rapid, medium-fidelity tactical decision-making capabilities.

Developed by the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE), these tools bridge a critical gap in the MoD’s simulation arsenal. Previously, the Ministry relied on high-fidelity tools that were too resource-intensive for scenarios involving thousands of objects, or low-fidelity versions that lacked the detail necessary for effective capability planning and risk assessment. This development marks a shift in procurement strategy, prioritising the balance between speed and complexity to directly influence field performance and mission impact.

The NEMESIS and ARCUS platforms were delivered in just nine months, a timeline significantly shorter than traditional multi-year procurement cycles. NEMESIS, developed by a partnership of ADSP and Riskaware, provides a sophisticated simulation environment for missile defence, incorporating enhanced features such as ballistic motion and intercept strategies. ARCUS, produced by a consortium including Skyral, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, and Principle One, serves as an agent-based simulation laboratory. It provides essential visualisation and analytics layers for operational planning, allowing decision-makers to explore real-time scenarios and integrate outputs from NEMESIS. For businesses in the defence technology sector, the success of these projects underscores the value of consortium-based delivery and the growing importance of reinforcement learning in military applications.

Central to the success of this initiative was the use of Agile delivery methods and the active involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Unlike traditional procurement, which often relies on a small pool of large prime contractors, this ACE-led project fostered collaboration between parallel supplier teams. By sharing insights during the development phase, these teams were able to innovate more effectively, producing tools that offer higher flexibility and value for money than traditional methods. Regular user engagement and “end-of-sprint” presentations ensured that the final products remained tightly aligned with the MoD’s specific operational requirements, providing a new benchmark for agile delivery within the sector.

The outcomes of this project have immediate implications for the UK defence supply chain. One supplier team has already secured a contract extension through the end of the current financial year to facilitate further iteration, demonstrating the MoD’s commitment to continuous capability improvement. For sub-contractors and technology providers, the success of NEMESIS and ARCUS signals a broader move toward “spiral development” and more accessible entry points for innovative SMEs capable of delivering complex digital solutions at pace. As the MoD continues to modernise its decision-making frameworks, the demand for adaptable, high-speed simulation technologies is expected to increase, providing ongoing opportunities for firms specialising in data analytics and visualisation.

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Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.