The Spring Statement signalled a much needed and meaningful shift in the government’s approach to strengthening the UK’s independent defence and security capabilities.
In response to growing geopolitical headwinds, the Chancellor increased the MoD’s budget and committed to speeding up procurement timelines, particularly for novel technologies and for greater investment in dual-use technologies – those innovations with both civilian and defence applications. This is welcomed.
The government now needs to match these positive decisions, not just with action, but action at a speed that’s akin to the country being on a “war footing” and materially accelerating the speed and boldness of its procurement of independent dual-use technologies from Britain’s world-leading science and technology companies.
The geo-political risks are getting more challenging by the day – government action needs to be days and weeks, not years and decades….
