Defense department's risk-adverse approach impedes Britain's progress
The United Kingdom struggles to modernise its military, despite spending billions on arming foreign armies with cutting-edge warfare technology. This is even as their own soldiers continue to rely on equipment and strategies from the early 2000s.
No first-person view (FPV) drones or uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) are in sight for the UK military. These innovations have significantly transformed battlefields and maritime warfare, but they remain absent from the arsenal of the British forces. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has instead focused on trials for these capabilities, while former servicemen and women suggest the UK remains far from deploying them.
The delay in adopting these new technologies is not merely a matter of procurement inefficiencies, overstretched budgets, or financial obstacles for start-ups and small businesses. Instead, the deeper challenge lies in the MoD's adoption processes.
Adoption signifies the moment a new military capability becomes an officially recognised requirement, securing a long-term budget allocation. Until then, the military will not train with it, nor adapt their tactics and doctrine to accommodate it. Even UK training areas may prohibit its use.
Adoption also carries financial implications, as it means the technology developer will receive payment. This moment attracts private investment, as investors recognise a company with a direct government contract for their technology. It serves as a green light to invest in other, related companies, as they become confident in the market for military technology.
Since July 2024, the MoD has allocated £35 million towards FPV drones. Evidently, the UK is aware that these drones are essential for modern warfare. However, none of these drones have been issued to the UK forces; instead, they have been sent to Ukraine.
The MoD urgently needs to modernise their warfare capabilities. The UK's discussion of credible deterrence, coalitions of the willing, and peacekeeping troops on the ground makes it hard to understand why this modernisation has not taken place.
Changing military culture often requires more than just finances; it necessitates a willingness to embrace new technologies and a culture that accepts the inherent risks associated with failure, so promising innovations can learn, adapt, and improve.
The US Defense Innovation Unit has successfully moved technology from Silicon Valley into long-term defence contracts, paving the way for a new generation of defence powerhouses like Anduril, Palantir, and Shield AI.
Monday's strategic defence review is expected to address many long-standing challenges in the defence sector. The government has promised clear answers for how the UK intends to counter emerging threats, alongside planned procurement reforms and increased focus on readiness.
The UK has already begun acquiring and developing modern defence technologies. Beyond FPV drones and USVs, they have bought various advanced robotics, intelligence-gathering platforms, electronic warfare devices, and loitering munitions.
However, the MoD's broken adoption culture must be addressed for the UK to bring its military into the future. Mere financing will not suffice; the government must develop a culture that embraces change, invests in new technology, and rapidly improves it if necessary. The saying, "You can't wait for industry to deliver," seems particularly relevant in this context.
The Royal Marines, an organisation with which the original author shares a connection, has expressed a desire to train all recruits to operate FPV drones. It is now up to MoD administrators and ministers to break down the barriers preventing this from happening.
Britain's world-class forces should be equipped with world-class tools for training. The path forward involves embracing innovation, investing in new technology, and fostering a culture that is open to change. Only then will the UK military truly modernise.
Businesses in the technology sector are seen as potential partners to modernize the UK's military, as advanced technology, such as FPV drones and uncrewed surface vessels, have transformed modern warfare. However, the adoption of these technologies by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has proven slow, which is hindering the UK military's ability to compete in the modern battlefield. This challenge isn't solely about procurement inefficiencies or budget constraints, but rather the MoD's adoption processes and cultural resistance to change.
