The defense sector is undergoing a seismic shift in 2025. With new technologies, stricter regulations, and evolving threats, defense organizations are being pushed to modernize faster than ever before. At JumpModel, as a trusted IFS partner, we’re helping defense contractors, manufacturers, and suppliers embrace this transformation to stay competitive and compliant.

In this article, we break down the four key predictions shaping the defense industry in 2025 and explore how IFS solutions enable organizations to thrive in this rapidly changing landscape.

1. Industrial AI Shrinks the Defense Maintenance Skills Gap

The defense industry is seeing an influx of next-generation platforms like the F-35 and B-21 Raider, requiring a completely new maintenance knowledge base. But there’s a growing challenge: a shortage of skilled technicians.

For example, the U.S. Air Force is currently short over 1,800 maintenance personnel, making it harder to meet aircraft readiness targets. Industrial AI offers a solution by empowering teams to do more with less:

  • AI-Powered Troubleshooting: Mobile AI assistants help technicians quickly diagnose issues, reducing downtime and enhancing accuracy.
  • Intelligent Task Optimization: AI analyzes data to assign the right technician to the right job, increasing efficiency and reducing unproductive time.
  • Predictive Maintenance Scheduling: AI-driven optimization ensures tasks are completed just-in-time, extending asset lifespans and minimizing unexpected failures.

JumpModel, leveraging IFS’s industrial AI capabilities, helps defense organizations seamlessly adopt these technologies, reducing costs while enhancing operational readiness.

2. Industry 5.0: Human + Machine Collaboration

The defense manufacturing landscape is evolving with the rise of Industry 5.0 — a human-centric approach where advanced automation and human expertise work hand-in-hand.

This shift is powered by technologies like Extended Reality (XR) and industrial metaverse platforms that improve training, efficiency, and safety:

  • Immersive Training: XR enables technicians to simulate rare, high-risk scenarios in safe environments.
  • Digital Overlays on the Shop Floor: Workers can view assembly instructions in real time directly on components.
  • Machine Health Visualization: XR provides instant access to equipment performance data in a technician’s field of vision.

At JumpModel, we help defense manufacturers integrate IFS’s XR-ready solutions into their operations, enabling seamless human-machine collaboration and accelerating workforce readiness.

3. Uncrewed Systems Are Redefining Naval Warfare

The future of naval operations is being rewritten by drones and autonomous systems. The conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated that small, uncrewed sea drones can disable even the most advanced naval fleets at a fraction of the cost.

Key shifts include:

  • Autonomous Naval Fleets: Future ships are being designed with minimal crews or built to operate fully autonomously.
  • UAV Carriers: Countries like the U.K., Portugal, and Turkey are testing carriers designed specifically for drone deployment.
  • US DoD Replicator Initiative: A strategic shift towards large-scale deployment of low-cost, uncrewed assets to reduce human risk while maintaining dominance.

Through IFS’s advanced fleet management tools, JumpModel enables defense contractors to optimize naval operations and manage both crewed and uncrewed assets efficiently.

4. Cybersecurity Becomes a Top Priority

With defense operations becoming increasingly digitized, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical challenge in 2025. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Final Rule comes into effect mid-2025, and compliance will now be mandatory for defense contractors across the U.S. and Five Eyes nations.

Key requirements include:

  • Protecting federal contract information (FCI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI)
  • Ensuring adherence to standards like CMMC, FedRAMP, and ITAR
  • Deploying secure, compliant cloud-based ERP solutions

Organizations failing to meet these cybersecurity mandates risk losing contracts and their place within the defense industrial base.

JumpModel specializes in deploying IFS Cloud solutions designed to meet and exceed these security standards, ensuring your operations remain compliant, secure, and future-ready.

Looking Ahead: Staying Competitive in 2025 and Beyond

From AI-driven maintenance and human-machine collaboration to autonomous systems and cybersecurity compliance, the defense industry is transforming rapidly. To stay ahead, defense organizations must modernize their operations and adopt scalable, secure technologies that can keep pace with change.

At JumpModel, we partner with IFS to deliver cutting-edge ERP, EAM, and AI-powered solutions tailored for the defense sector. Our goal is to help organizations optimize performance, enhance compliance, and achieve operational superiority in an increasingly complex world.

Ready to Transform Your Defense Operations?

JumpModel can help you leverage IFS solutions to stay competitive in 2025 and beyond.
📩 Contact us today to schedule a consultation.