About the event
New technologies are changing the way that wars are fought and communicated – but is defence procurement keeping up?
One of the most unsettling aspects of the conflict in Ukraine is the speed at which new technologies are deployed, copied, and replaced. While defence has always led technological innovation – in many cases creating byproducts that have transformed the wider economy, from the internet to GPS – it is the sheer rate of change over recent years that is challenging the traditional models for research, investment, and procurement.
These issues and how to address them are discussed during this Defence Technology and Innovation panel, held at Saïd Business School on 20 June 2024 and featuring Philip Lockwood, Head, Innovation Unit at NATO, Rich Drake, General Manager (UK and Europe) Anduril Industries, Amelia Gould, Managing Director, Helsing UK, and deep tech investor Michael Jackson.
One of the strongest themes to emerge from the conversation is that attitudes to procurement have to change.
Look beyond primes
The large, established defence contractors (primes) offer reassurance, tried-and-tested processes, and mature supply chains. But nimble, messy solutions are what will keep up with the pace of change, and these often come from smaller companies and start-ups. Governments need to get comfortable with talking to different kinds of suppliers.
Ask different questions
Traditionally, defence procurement is about issuing specifications for fulfilment. The panellists suggest that a better approach is to talk about the problem that needs to be solved, bringing together operators and innovators in the same physical space to discuss what new technology is needed to do rather than dictate what it needs to be.
Know when it’s OK to fail
The tech start-up mantra of ‘fail fast’ is equally applicable to defence innovation – but, obviously, not on the front line when lives are at stake. It is more about knowing when to fail (early in the process, before people have to use it on the ground) and understanding that ‘failure’ does not always mean that the solution does not work at all, but that there is a different or a better way to use it.
Focus on gearing
The time it takes to build ships, submarines, aircraft and other large-scale equipment means that they are invariably out of date by the time they come to be used. The key is to switch between a big, slow gear that builds 80% of the ship, and a fast gear for the final 20% that uses the latest technology and is adaptive.
