A|D|S welcomes the launch of the Green Paper and Strategy on Acquisition Reform as a crucial step towards delivering an SDR, A|D|S
Release Date: 2010-02-03
As the supplier of equipment and support to the UK's armed forces the defence industry can only make the right investments in technology and skills with the right strategic direction on where investment should be targeted. Acquisition Reform is vital to ensuring the UK gets best value from its defence spending and A|D|S believes industry can aid Government with their drive for efficiency, especially through more outsourcingA|D|S is pleased that the green paper acknowledges that emerging nations are increasing defence research investment. However, this is in a context where the MoD has already cut early stage research investment by 23 per cent over the last 3 years.
The Strategic Defence Review must answer the question of what Britain's future role in the world will be and a refreshed Defence Industrial Strategy must be an integral part of that process. The SDR should also provide strategic direction for international co-operation including industrial partnerships.
The Green Paper is helpful in setting the framework but the SDR will not be completed until after a general election. Industry is concerned about decisions that are already being taken which are eroding the ability of industry to deliver future capability.
Rees Ward, CEO of A|D|S, said: “We welcome these reports as a first step towards the much needed Strategic Defence Review. The absence of a refreshed strategy since 1998 has been to the nation's detriment and has forced industry to take short term decisions. Industry is glad to see that strategic decision-making will receive greater priority with SDRs becoming a regular occurrence in the political calendar.
A refreshed Defence Industrial Strategy is a priority for the defence and security of the nation and must be part of the SDR process. Currently there is a great fear that the UK will end up prepared for current conflicts, and not those of the future – an SDR that is based on the strategic and security needs of the nation, rather than just budgetary constraints will resolve this issue.
The UK Defence industry is an important part of the UK's manufacturing base, providing 10 per cent of all UK manufacturing jobs and contributing to economic wealth through exports worth over £5bn".
| Type: | NORMAL |
| Company: | A|D|S |
| Country: | United Kingdom |