The dedicated Research & Technology Knowledge Transfer Zone at the forthcoming Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE) 2016 event – being held at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on 16 March – recognises the vital role that new technologies will play in building future defence and security capabilities, and furthering transformative projects including the Defence Materiel Strategy and the MOD’s Ten Year Equipment Plan. These projects detail the allocation of MOD expenditure needed to deliver the National Security Strategy (NSS) and the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).
As this publication goes to print, both the NSS and SDSR are being negotiated among the Cabinet Office, Department for International Development, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office, Ministry of Defence and other departments. As part of this negotiation, the UK Government is engaging with a range of audiences, including academics, industry officials, think tanks, Allies, partners, non-governmental organisations and the public.
Supporting this broader engagement is the DPRTE 2016 Research & Technology Knowledge Transfer Zone, which will give delegates the opportunity to enter into discussion face to face with key decision makers in this area.
These decision makers include Thales VP for Research, Technical & Innovation Dr Alvin Wilby; Thales GEOS International Peter Collins; Executive Director – Innovations at the UK Defence Solutions Centre Paul Winstanley; SBRI Account Manager Brendan Vickers; as well as representatives from Cranfield University and techUK, who will conduct a range of presentations and training sessions throughout the day supporting innovation across the defence sector.
Cranfield University will contribute to these sessions by sharing its world-leading expertise in areas such as Aerospace, Defence and Security, Energy, Environmental Technology, Leadership and Management, Manufacturing, and Transport Systems. This range of experience is bolstered by Cranfield’s partnership with the MOD, a collaboration that enables teaching, research and consultancy.
Cranfield University will be on hand at DPRTE 2016 to explain some practical defence and security solutions that can improve the lives of both military personnel and civilians across the world.
Global defence insight will also be provided by techUK, who will be joining the Research & Technology Knowledge Transfer Zone to further discussions on UK defence and security strategy.
techUK will be leading a discussion on the ongoing need for MOD and industry to better align their priorities on R&D funding and activities. With constrained budgets in both the public and private sectors it is of the utmost importance to reduce and remove unnecessary duplication where possible.
techUK was instrumental in consulting and consolidating industry feedback on SDSR 2015, which it presented in a report titled ‘Gaining strategic advantage through information’. This report articulates four themes that techUK believes the Government should consider in its latest review and explains how building defence information capability offers diplomatic, operational and budgetary advantages.
Further industry insight will be brought to the Research & Technology Knowledge Transfer Zone by SBRI Account Manager Brendan Vickers, who will highlight the role of innovation in defence exports. An overview will then be provided of the UK Defence Solutions Centre’s approach to innovation, including the DGP Innovation Challenges.
With this and many more topics up for discussion, DPRTE 2016’s Research & Technology Knowledge Transfer Zone will offer delegates an opportunity to more fully understand current and future MOD requirements.
Sessions will explore the way in which contractors fit into the supply chain, as well as providing innovative ideas for MOD officials. Importantly, the Zone allows delegates to scan the defence horizon for future innovation and developments.
For further details, visit: www.dprte.co.uk/visiting/knowledge-transfer-zones
