National security is a shared mission
Political will is clear. Focus must now shift to action
The government’s recently published Strategic Defence Review recognises the changing face of national security.
Future deterrence will require a different mindset, defined by innovative technologies that seamlessly integrate with existing capabilities.
Consequently, the review recommends that the UK be a leading technology-enabled defence power, necessitating a thriving and resilient UK defence industrial base with the ability to meet the demands and scale when required.
This is not something that can be achieved in isolation, but has to be as a result of a close and open relationship between industry and government.
The Strategic Defence Review has also re-emphasised the importance of space when protecting the UK, its people and its interests. It is echoing what those who work in this industry know well: space could be the defining domain of any future conflict.
Nations around the world have also acknowledged this fact with an increasing number either forming distinct Space Commands or even Space Forces. Space is the fifth operating domain for modern defence forces, and without space capabilities, it will not be possible to exert effective military influence.
These partnerships will also strengthen relationships with our allies, including the US, NATO and Europe, through mutual economic and security benefits
One specific example of the role that the space domain has in protecting a nation is the US vision for a ‘Golden Dome’, which will provide a layered defence shield, safeguarding American citizens with precision, ensuring the security and resilience of the nation.
The Golden Dome will be the first line of defence against long-range missile threats, much like seaboard fortifications were the first line of defence from invading navies. It will detect and destroy long-range threats before or during their flight, thus negating their deterrent effect and limiting the geopolitical influence of adversaries. But this will also make it a target – and therefore increase the likelihood of military operations in space.
A key element will be a global constellation of satellites equipped with both sensors and space-based interceptors. The scale of the system will be a significant undertaking, needing specific skills and state-of-the-art technological know-how that only comes from companies that have decades of experience in this kind of endeavour.
Partnership is essential to deliver a bold and necessary space-based capability. For its own future space capability needs, the UK will need to adopt a similar approach, bringing together the best of industry with the thought leadership of the UK’s world-class academic institutions. It will also need to work with its close allies.
Nik Smith, Director of Lockheed Martin’s UK Space business is in no doubt of the “need for the UK to access the best capability and technology if we are going to be able to protect and defend our national interests in space, and that can only be done with industry partners and allies to share the burden.
“These partnerships will also strengthen relationships with our allies, including the US, NATO and Europe, through mutual economic and security benefits.
“Investments in the UK space sector will also build industrial resilience and capacity, attract inward investment and generate export potential, which leads to growth.”
The Strategic Defence Review identified several technologies which are redefining defence and security operations today. It recognises that future advantage will not come from a single technological advance, but from a combination of existing capabilities and a range of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science, robotics and autonomy, space-based capabilities, quantum, cyber and engineering biology.
Government investment will undoubtedly be an important factor in achieving this, but it is by no means the only consideration. A resilient and internationally connected industrial base, partnered with research and academic institutions, will be critical. Also, a strong demand signal from government for the technologies developed will unlock the private investment needed to make this happen. This will deliver technology the UK needs to safeguard the nation and give UK industry access to skills that can make it a leader in the space sector, driving growth and creating jobs.
An example of this in action is the work that Lockheed Martin is doing in north-east England to bolster and thicken the space industrial base and accelerate the skills pipeline.
In partnership with Northumbria University and the UK Space Agency, it is investing both money and expertise in NESST – the North East Space Skill Technology centre. NESST will be a centre of space excellence, providing a hub for academia and industry to collaborate, delivering the future technology and skills the UK will need.
The North East Space Skills & Technology Centre (Credit: Northumbria University)
It will harness the space and security expertise that already exists in the region and attract others to the area to create a focal point for innovation. Lockheed Martin will use its global reach to help deliver international market access and provide support to businesses needing to scale, a challenge often faced by startups in the UK.
Recent national and regional policy initiatives are focusing on support to the defence, security and space sectors, which is critical to cement the UK’s future international competitiveness, geopolitically and economically.
“Many nations, including our adversaries, have cohesive space sectors combining industry, government and academia, giving them an innovation advantage,” said Nik. “We need to find a way to match that.
“Supporting deterrence, security and space – and their convergence – has to be a priority and seen as a national endeavour.
“With the right conditions and demand signals, industry and the private sector can invest alongside government to supercharge innovation in the UK and grow the sector.
“In short, there is a need for better integration between national, regional and local government, industry, and academia. We need to identify the right forum and supporting mechanism to align our priorities and make the best use of our resources, talent and funding.
“This will require strong advocacy in central government; we need a single, empowered space champion that can align the different entities and define the national priorities. It’s time to develop a national space enterprise focused on securing the UK and driving growth.”
