The MIP came about in 2001 by merging two previous separate programmes: The "Army Tactical Command and Control Information System" (ATCCIS) and the former MIP. Find in this page more details about it.
The former MIP was established in 1998 by the Project Managers of the Army Command and Control Systems of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States to replace and enhance two previous programmes: Battlefield Interoperability Programme (BIP) and Quadrilateral Interoperability Programme (QIP).
The MIP's objectives were: Through the Message Exchange Mechanism (MEM), to have improved structured message (ADatP3) capabilities supporting vertical and horizontal interoperability of C2ISs at all levels from Corps to Battalion, or lowest appropriate echelon which would be fieldable by 2003.
Through the Data Exchange Mechanism (DEM), to have a (push) data capability supporting vertical and horizontal interoperability of C2ISs at all levels from Corps to Battalion, or lowest appropriate echelon, and is able to co-exist with the agreed common message capability, with an initial fielding during the period 2003-2005.