Network Enabled Capability (NEC) is the UK MoD's response to the rapidly changing conflict environment in which its forces must operate. The armed forces must be flexible, ready and rapidly deployable, and must possess attributes that allow the application of controlled and precise force to achieve realisable effects as part of a wider scene that includes diplomatic and political aspects. The implications of this operational goal are immense and will stimulate significant organisational changes throughout the entire defence supply chain, with knock-on effects in other industrial sectors and civilian environments.

MoD has noted that: "NEC will influence equipment and systems across their entire lifecycle, from concept development through upgrades throughout their in service life and until their disposal or replacement" Defence suppliers, such as BAE Systems, must develop with the changing defence requirement as capability suppliers adept at managing such capability through-life, within large dynamically connected networks of supplier-customer organisations. Thus, one may reasonably ask of all organisations operating in the defence environment: "Are you prepared for NEC?"