Written by ADS Defence Director Samira Braund
The Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) is a vital part of ADS’ engagement with Government on defence issues, as it is with the sector as a whole. The MoD itself also recognises the significant value of this avenue for strategic communication with industry.
By having that dedicated forum for discussion, it allows all stakeholders within the UK defence sector to make their voices heard and to understand the perspective and challenges of others. With certain areas within DSF, such as DSF Comms Group, more specifically focusing on that process of improving that communications process.
Another part of this is through the DSF’s task and finish groups, which focus specifically on just one key area of challenge for industry and Government. ADS has supported, and I continue to support as Industry Co-Chair of the recent formation of an Early Market Engagement task and finish group within the DSF to make improvements in this area of communication.
The importance of effective Early Market Engagement (EME) for UK defence cannot be overstated. Improved EME will increase UK Defence strategic advantage, ensuring the right capability gets to where it is needed as quickly as possible, underpinned by a resilient and prosperous UK Industrial base. The evolving threat landscape has created the need to adapt quickly in defence procurement. The current ability to turn good ideas and new technology into deployable capability can be improved.
There have been a number of challenges, for both the MoD and industry, stifling effective EME in recent times, including communication and engagement barriers, as well as concerns around protecting intellectual property.
This group will review and assess the existing policies and processes within EME and develop new strategies to attempt to combat these challenges and mobilises the DSF ‘Collaboration Charter’. This process has an added level of potential significance as we remain in the process of the Strategic Defence Review.
For those interested in becoming more closely involved with this group, our process of engaging on EME more broadly or the Defence Suppliers Forum can reach out to me via email to discuss how best ADS can support that.
