Regional Defence and Security Cluster Launched to Drive Innovation and Foster Collaboration

Strategic Insights -

The Regional Defence and Security Cluster (RDSC) has been launched in a strategic initiative to strengthen the UK's regional defence innovation landscape. This collaboration between the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), industry, academia, local authorities, and business aims to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and stimulate economic growth across the defence and security sectors. The launch event was held at Lockheed Martin UK's advanced manufacturing facility in Ampthill, marking a significant milestone in the development of cutting-edge technologies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The RDSC is a collaboration between the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), industry, academia, local authorities, and business, aiming to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and stimulate economic growth across the defence and security sectors.
  • The cluster will focus on encouraging innovation through research and development, fostering relationships and building partnerships, facilitating knowledge transfer between academia, industry, and government, and leveraging expertise from SMEs and emerging tech firms.
  • The Prime Minister has agreed to increase defence spending from 2.33% of GDP to 2.5% by 2027, and to 3% in the next parliament, and it is rumoured that Nato will force Britain to sign up to a target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
  • Anita Friend, head of DASA, stated that collaboration between government, academia, and companies of varying sizes will be crucial in delivering the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review and ensuring the UK delivers a full range of cutting-edge capabilities to its armed forces.
  • The RDSC will provide a clear route for non-traditional suppliers to enter the defence market, grow a talent pipeline to ensure a skilled future workforce, and strengthen supply chains and export opportunities.

Statistics:

  • 2.33% of GDP: Current defence spending as a percentage of GDP (Source: [YourWorld])
  • 2.5% of GDP: Expected defence spending as a percentage of GDP by 2027 (Source: [YourWorld])
  • 3% of GDP: Expected defence spending as a percentage of GDP in the next parliament (Source: [YourWorld])
  • 3.5% of GDP: Rumoured Nato target for defence spending as a percentage of GDP by 2035 (Source: [YourWorld])

Sources:

  • YourWorld
  • [YourWorld it's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers]