Defence Technology Strategy 2006

Today the UK faces adversaries whose tactics change rapidly and employ ever more varied advanced and innovative technologies. This demands rapid evolution in our response, both tactically and in the technologies we deploy to combat the threats. We must therefore continuously examine the balance and quantity of our research and development (R&D) investment to meet these changing circumstances.

Scientific understanding and the technologies that emerge from this improved knowledge are growing at an ever increasing pace and offer a wide diversity of solutions to this evolving threat environment. Our task is to anticipate, prepare and meet the forthcoming challenges by being highly innovative, agile and flexible in our approach to defence science and technology based R&D. This must be complemented by rapid exploitation to yield military advantage with an ever increasing tempo.

In the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS)we have reviewed our approach to R&D. Through this Defence Technology Strategy (DTS) for the first time MOD openly publishes its priorities for R&D, funding, skills, improved processes, opportunities and areas for international research collaboration.