Membership

Defence Industrial Strategy Consultation

Defence AI Centre

Hello

I am reaching out to draw your attention to the Defence Secretary's recent announcement on 2nd December regarding the launch of the new Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) consultation. I strongly encourage your participation in this process. The DIS is being developed at pace alongside, but independently of, the Strategic Defence Review, in direct response to rising threats to our national security.

The Statement of Intent outlines how bolstering the Defence sector will not only generate employment, stimulate economic growth, and distribute wealth across all regions, but also reinforce our defences and deter potential adversaries. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the scale of investment and the rapid progress in AI development by other sectors necessitates the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to identify how we can collaborate with a range of external organisations in significantly different ways than we do presently. This is essential if we are to maintain our strategic advantage.

The strategy will be shaped in collaboration with Industry, with a focus on identifying opportunities for rapid innovation, building resilience to deter aggression from our adversaries, and seizing the opportunities presented by future technologies. It is a clear demonstration of the UK government's recognition of the importance of mobilising the Defence sector to effectively address growing threats and innovate at a wartime pace.

The DIS will be structured around six key themes: prioritise UK businesses; create partnerships; provide certainty and stability; seize the future; spread prosperity; and enhance the credibility of our deterrence. It is imperative that we prioritise the development and integration of AI technologies within these themes to ensure that we remain at the forefront of technological advancements and maintain our strategic advantage in an evolving geopolitical landscape. Your participation in the DIS consultation will be instrumental in shaping the strategy and ensuring that the UK MOD can effectively harness the potential of AI and meaningfully collaborate with Industry partners to maintain our national security. I strongly encourage you to contribute your insights and expertise.

Contributions should be sent to the MOD at SPODISE-IndStratGroupMailbox@mod.gov.uk by no later than 28 Feb 2025.

Your Sincerely

 

Rachel Singleton MBE

Commodore Royal Navy

Head Defence AI Centre

 

If you are interested in the latest developments in AI for Defence and eager to network with representatives from AI companies and the MOD, join us at DAIC Connect 2025, the industry engagement day hosted by Chief Disruptor in partnership with the Defence AI Centre.

Topics: Guest Blogs, Defence

Written by Commodore Rachel Singleton MBE, Head of the Defence AI Centre

Rachel Singleton joined the Royal Navy in 2002 from the Royal Naval Reserve, following a short career as a software engineer in the telecommunications sector. Her operational experience includes time onboard aircraft carriers ARK ROYAL and ILLUSTRIOUS, two short tours in Afghanistan and a tour as Weapon Engineer Officer of Type 45 destroyer HMS DARING. Her non-operational roles have spanned capability development, IT service management, cyber and Defence Engagement and she recently spent a rewarding two years leading on AI at the British Defence Staff in Washington DC, before returning to Navy Headquarters as Head of Digital Development and SRO of the Naval Strike Network programme. Rachel now works within Defence Digital as Head of the DAIC and is responsible for setting the conditions for the widespread exploitation of AI within Defence, championing the appropriate and informed use of AI, ensuring the enablers are in place such as tooling, platforms and data, and sponsoring specific innovation projects, identifying crucial problem sets and developing AI models to address them. Rachel is a graduate of Birmingham University where she studied Mathematics and Philosophy and has also undertaken an in-Service MSc in Information Systems at Cranfield University, and the Defence Academy’s Advanced Command and Staff Course alongside the associated MA in Defence Studies from Kings College London. At home Rachel is outnumbered by her husband and two sons and any spare time is spent reading, making music or hiking.

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