#DSEI23 Day four: the wrap-up.

Defence will depend on global partnership

“Armies don’t win wars. Nations and alliances win wars.”

-?? Lt General Tom Copinger-Symes CBE, Deputy Commander, Strategic Command

Initiatives like AUKUS, GCAP and Japan’s National Security Strategy have proven the necessity of global collaboration. Alongside them, we’re seeing a shared commitment to break down the political and structural barriers that stand in the way. The UK-Japan partnership in particular, is being held up as a model to follow. It shows the technological impact that’s possible when nations’ outlooks are aligned and they’re ready to share freely.

“There is no Science Superpower for the UK, without strategic international collaboration in technology. There are no two nations more closely aligned in outlook and interests than the UK and Japan. For Fujitsu, enabling that relationship is both a duty and an opportunity.”

- Dr Keith Dear, Managing Director for Centre for Cognitive & Advanced Technology, Fujitsu

We need to speak the same language

“If the system is so complicated that only a few understand it, how do you defend it?”

-????? Captain Adam Clarke, Deputy Head Cyber Joint User, Defence Intelligence

DSEI’s experts agree: people are still our greatest assets: “no matter how superior your defence equipment is.” Vice Admiral Imayoshi Shinichi, Director General Naval Systems, ATLA.

What’s more, we should focus more energy on ensuring people are equipped with the understanding they need to apply technology - both in industry and in the forces. So that soldiers on the ground know how to use systems in critical situations. And so that quantum or cyber expertise doesn’t evaporate from organisations when specialists leave.

It’s time to plan less, and do more

“When I’m asked if a project will hit a timeline I’ll say, we definitely won’t hit it if we don’t start it!”

- Kate Robertson, Combat Air System Enterprise Enablement Director, BAE Systems

There’s a growing consensus that technology planning in defence can be a barrier to progress. In other words, the world’s threats and technologies are evolving so quickly that the best laid plans may no longer be relevant once they’re complete. Instead there’s a growing desire to adopt more agile strategies - to think a little less, and learn more by doing.

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Embrace diversity in all its forms

“We need more diverse thinking so we can solve problems better”

-?? Warrant Officer Balbir Singh Flora, Careers Engagement, Royal Air Force

It’s perhaps time to broaden our definition of diversity. Because at this DSEI we see the need for diversity in many forms across the armed forces: from ethnicity to experience to expertise. And organisations like ours can help to develop recruitment and training that supports a wide range of skills and backgrounds.

It’s been an honour!

That wraps up a fantastic week at DSEI23. There’s a lot of exciting work underway. And we can’t wait for what’s next!

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