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The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has unveiled its new strategy to equip troops with the latest cutting-edge technology and has called on all sectors to contribute ideas. The defence technology plan (DFT) is a new strategy to publicise all MoD research needs to encourage as wide net of su
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has unveiled its new strategy to equip troops with the latest cutting-edge technology and has called on all sectors to contribute ideas.
The defence technology plan (DFT) is a new strategy to publicise all MoD research needs to encourage as wide net of suppliers as possible to develop new technologies into battlefield applications.
UK Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Quentin Davies said that the intention of the DFT was to embrace and encourage novel cutting-edge ideas that will keep future forces one step ahead of the enemy.
“It is more vital than ever that we exploit new and emerging technologies. To do this, we need to make the best use of the defence industrial base, as well as the ability and expertise found among small businesses, talented individuals and academia,” Davies said.
“We actively want to move away from using only a small number of multinational companies and encourage investment into ideas from smaller enterprise.”
The DFT addresses the MoD’s research needs by setting out five capability visions that are designed to stimulate the development of new technologies and new uses of existing ones.
The five capability visions are:
DFT science and technology director Paul Stein said that by publicising key long-term defence challenges the military hopes to create innovative thinking and actively encourage speculative suggestions.
“The point of the DFT is to show suppliers where we intend to invest,” Stein said.
We believe that a readily available, evolving, web-based plan will encourage fresh thinking and result in significant benefits for future combat forces.”
To underline to MoD’s commitment Minister Davies also announced close to £2m of funding to the following research contracts:
Proposals can be submitted to the MoD through the www.science.mod.uk website. The ideas will then be assessed by the Centre for Defence Enterprise.
By Daniel Garrun.
Ground-Based Air Defence Systems
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