DefTech: Technology Transforming Defence

DefTech: Technology Transforming Defence - techUK Report Published

techUK’s Defence Programme has published a report looking at how Defence Technologies (DefTech) will revolutionise how the UK defends itself, but that means a change in how governments think about capabilities.

The report, launched as part of techUK’s 2024 Defence Campaign Week, looks at how technology is shaping defence across all domains including the use of Artificial Intelligence, unmanned autonomous systems, and the exploitation of data.

To fulfill this, what is required is a fundamental shift in approach within the Ministry of Defence as to how it procures capabilities and pulls them through to the end-user. Informed by engagement with members from across the defence industry, officials from the Ministry of Defence and others, the report makes a series of recommendations including:

Think capabilities not percentages of GDP: debates around defence spending as a proportion of GDP are a distraction from focusing on what capabilities the UK requires to defend itself and its allies.
Think problems not solutions: when it comes to procuring capabilities – whether new or replacement systems – do not assume to know what the solution looks like. Define the problem and let industry present the answers.
Mind the Gap: reduce the distance between the innovators and the end-users. Involve service personnel in shaping problem statements and bring in technologists from industry as Technology Officers at a tactical level, to identify where new technologies can increase efficiency and effectiveness in the field.

The report also includes case studies of how techUK members – 2iC, GemaSecure and Arondite – are leading the DefTech revolution.

The conflict in Ukraine has provided the most graphic and costly vision of how future wars are likely to be conducted, demonstrating that victory will be determined not solely by conventional mass, but also the ability to develop, integrate and deploy advanced technologies at speed. The UK needs a strong, dynamic DefTech sector to ensure that it remains at the forefront of innovation, providing solutions to those problems articulated and encountered by MOD, and learning the lessons from how other industries have achieved transformation.

For more information on the Defence Campaign Week, please click here.

techUK’s defence programme works to help UK's defence technology sector align itself with the Ministry of Defence through a broad range of activities including private briefings and early market engagement, supporting the MOD as it procures new digital technologies.

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The Defence programme works to help the UK’s defence technology sector align itself with the MOD. techUK members are able to navigate and better understand the UK Defence sector to successfully align their own investment and resources to take advantage of business opportunities. Visit the programme page here.

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Meet the team

Fred Sugden

Associate Director, Defence and National Security, techUK

Fred is responsible for techUK's activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working to provide members with access to key stakeholders across the Defence and National Security community. Before taking on the role of Associate Director for Defence and National Security, Fred joined techUK in 2018, working as the Programme Head for Defence at techUK, leading the organisation's engagement with the Ministry of Defence. Before joining techUK, he worked at ADS, the national trade association representing Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space companies in the UK.

Fred is responsible for techUK’s market engagement and policy development activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working closely with various organisations within the Ministry of Defence, and across the wider National Security and Intelligence community. Fred works closely with many techUK member companies that have an interest in these sectors, and is responsible for the activities of techUK's senior Defence & Security Board. Working closely with techUK's Programme Head for Cyber Security, Fred oversees a broad range of activities for techUK members.

Outside of work, Fred's interests include football (a Watford FC fan) and skiing.

Email:: [email protected]
Phone:: 07985 234 170

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Jeremy Wimble

Programme Manager, Defence, techUK

Jeremy manages techUK's defence programme, helping the UK's defence technology sector align itself with the Ministry of Defence - including Defence Digital, DE&S, innovation units and Frontline Commands - through a broad range of activities including private briefings and early market engagement events. It also supports the MOD as it procures new digital technologies.

Prior to joining techUK, from 2016-2024 Jeremy was International Security Programme Manager at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) coordinating research and impact activities for funders including the FCDO and US Department of Defense, as well as business development and strategy.

Jeremy has a MA in International Relations from the University of Birmingham and a BA (Hons) in Politics & Social Policy from Swansea University.

Email:: [email protected]

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Tracy Modha

Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK

Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.

Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!

Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!

Email:: [email protected]
Phone:: 02073312000
Website:: www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83

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Authors

Jeremy Wimble

Programme Manager, Defence, techUK

Jeremy has a MA in International Relations from the University of Birmingham and a BA (Hons) in Politics & Social Policy from Swansea University.

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DefTech: Technology Transforming Defence - techUK Report Published