The Defence Industrial Strategy(DIS) was launched in December 2005. It emerged as a result of recognition that developments in the defence environment - operations and technology - required changes in the way that MOD approached acquisition in order to ensure that the UK Armed Forces continue to have the right equipment.
The DIS seeks to ensure that the capability requirements of the Armed Forces can be met now and in the future by giving industry a clearer idea of MOD priorities; allowing them to make informed decisions on restructuring. It also sought to promote a sustainable defence industrial base that maintains in the UK those industrial capabilities needed to ensure national security.
The DIS provided a:
- Strategic overview of the defence and security environments
- Reviewed specific industrial sectors to
- assess future military requirements
- analyse the industrial capacity needed to meet those requirements
- identify the need for industry restructuring
- set out how MOD and industry needed to change to implement the DIS
The Defence Industrial Strategy [DIS] remains at the heart of the MOD's acquisition policy. By working more closely and openly with industry, we have given them the confidence to transform key sectors and thereby ensure that we can continue to provide the Armed Forces with the equipment they need at best value for money for the taxpayer.
The DIS signalled the need to consider acquisition on a through-life basis and in 2007 the Defence Logistics and Defence Procurement bodies merged to form Defence Equipment and Support [DE&S] to encourage a unified approach to procurement and support.
In June 2009 we published a strategy for the Armoured Fighting Vehicles sector (see attached link). Further evolution of our defence industrial policy and strategy will now be considered as part of the MOD's wider strategic work on the Defence Green Paper, planned for early 2010, which will help to inform a Defence Review expected early in the next parliament.
