Application of multi-criteria decision making for the selection of a location for crossing a water obstacle by fording in a defense operation

Introduction/purpose: The paper presents the multi-criteria Fuzzy DIBR-Fuzzy DIBR II-EWAA-BM-DEXi-Fuzzy LMAW model for choosing a location for crossing water obstacles by fording in a defense operation. After the identification of the criteria by experts in this field, the mentioned model was applied and the optimal point was determined. In order to test the consistency of the results and the validity of the model, experts were consulted again, and the sensitivity analysis and the comparative analysis were performed. Methods: The Fuzzy DIBR and Fuzzy DIBR II methods were used to determine the weighting coefficients of the identified criteria, while the aggregation of the expert opinions and the obtained values was performed using the EWAA and BM operators. To select the optimal location, the Fuzzy LMAW method was applied, while the linguistic descriptors were determined using the DEXi decision support system. Results: The proposed methodology made it possible to identify all the criteria that determine the choice of a location and the choice of the optimal point for crossing a water obstacle in a defense operation. The testing of the model by experts, the analysis of the sensitivity of the output results to changes in the weights of the criteria and the comparison of the obtained results with the results of other methods indicated the fact that the model is valid and that it gives consistent results. Conclusion: It was concluded that the multi-criteria model provides the necessary help to decision makers in conditions of imprecise and unspecified information and that it is applicable in real situations. Also, the proposed model takes into consideration all the aspects that must be considered when making such a complex decision and helps less experienced officers in the decision-making process, reducing the possibility of errors, which can result in human casualties. Finally, directions for further research in the field of overcoming water obstacles and multicriteria decision making are suggested.