The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has recognised that it must change how it invests in and develops capability to avoid falling behind adversaries.
To secure and maintain both scientific and technological advantage the MOD has released its new Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy, which sets out the department’s priorities and approach to S&T in the coming years. The Strategy recognises that Defence needs to radically enhance its understanding of the current and future technological landscape, and provides a roadmap to achieve a future in which the UK is a Global Science Power that is fit to face the national security challenges of the future.
The Strategy is split into the following 5 sections, with each subsequent section building on those earlier in the report:
- The Geopolitical context
- Understanding the future
- Making the right decisions
- Seizing the opportunities
- Strategy implementation and monitoring our progress
The full report can be read here.
Some of the capabilities that the CSA will continue to support include:
- Chemical, biological, radiological
- Cyber
- Electromagnetic environment
- Energetics
- Forensic Science
- Intelligence
- Military Working Animals
- Novel materials and weapons
- Signature management
- Survivability/threat evaluation
The S&T strategy outlines the MOD’s commitment to build on relationships with industry, academia and international partners in order to reaffirm a new S&T collaboration and engagement strategy. This will design-in collaboration, minimise conflicting priorities and merge S&T delivery. Primarily, MOD engagement with industry will focus on the future outcomes set out with the five capability challenges, providing a clear signal of intent to help guide endeavour in industry that aligns to Defence needs. The Strategy commits the MOD to avoid using military jargon when dealing with external partners, and to avoid pre-judging solutions.
Strategy implementation and monitoring progress
The MOD is clear that it will evaluate progress of the aims set out in the S&T strategy against the following metrics:
- The five capability challenges
- The benefits realised through the S&T investment portfolio
- The sustainment of critical S&T capabilities
- The impact of S&T on departmental policy and strategy
- S&T collaboration and engagement.
These metrics will allow Defence to adjust and accelerate as it progresses and evolves intended impacts as more ambitious goals become achievable. The CSA will provide expert interpretation of these metrics and will guide the MOD towards world leading S&T outcomes.
