How mobile surveillance strengthens defence infrastructure and border security

In June 2025, NATO members agreed to a significant change in defence planning strategy by committing to increase national defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. Reflecting heightened defence budgets and shifting strategic priorities, this increase signals evolving geopolitical concerns and calls for the physical security and defence infrastructure of member states to be strengthened. Of the budget, 3.5% is earmarked for core defence components such as personnel, weapons, and training, while the remaining 1.5% is dedicated to adjacent domains including defence infrastructure resilience, logistics, and military mobility. Within this expanded framework, mobile surveillance solutions have emerged as essential tools for safeguarding critical sites and maintaining operational readiness

Monitoring strategic locations and dual-use civil infrastructure

As part of broader military preparedness strategies, countries are reclassifying civil infrastructure, such as ports, bridges, and railway hubs, as dual-use assets. These structures, which were originally intended for civilian use, are now being integrated into defence planning due to their strategic location or logistical importance. Italy is taking a leading role in this approach by aligning its infrastructure projects with dual-purpose outcomes. Surveillance systems are pivotal to this transition. Given the increased risk of disruption or sabotage, constant oversight is essential for preserving the functionality and security of these multipurpose sites.

Mobile surveillance is crucial for military sites and border control

Surveillance in military settings goes beyond monitoring traditional bases. Mobile systems that can be rapidly deployed and adjusted as required are essential for monitoring isolated compounds, controlling national borders and supporting logistics along sensitive corridors. Their value lies in their adaptability. They can be transported to remote or undeveloped areas, set up without the need for permanent infrastructure, and redeployed as missions evolve. With the ability to operate in variable environmental conditions, they provide reliable situational awareness, which is essential for threat detection, protecting troops, and coordinating responses.

This creates new business opportunities for the security industry

This redefined strategic landscape opens considerable opportunities for companies in the security sector. The surge in investment in military infrastructure and border control projects leads to increased demand for physical surveillance hardware, mobile units, field services and installation expertise. Service providers capable of delivering flexible, field-ready surveillance solutions, especially those with the operational capacity to maintain, relocate and support them over time, are well-placed to grow alongside defence initiatives. Long-term service agreements and rental models are gaining relevance across NATO-aligned nations, particularly in environments where mobility and temporary deployment are prioritised.

Mobilising defence with smarter infrastructure protection

The shift towards mobile surveillance is not a temporary trend, but rather a structural evolution in the organisation and execution of defence. National resilience now depends not only on the strength of armed forces, but also on the visibility, control and protection of strategic infrastructure. As military and security policies converge with infrastructure development, surveillance capabilities are taking on a central role. Deployable, adaptable and precise, mobile surveillance systems are essential for translating increased budgets into real-world security outcomes.