Force for the good

To ensure that UK armed forces have the best equipment to keep them one step ahead of the enemy, the defence sector has developed some of the most advanced and innovative engineering.

Design and construction of the new Astute Class submarine has been arguably the most challenging engineering project in the UK, involving the production of over 7,000 drawings covering 10,000 separate designs and engineering requirements.

The RAF has new squadrons of the elegant Typhoon, fusing the work of aerospace engineers, fluid dynamists, data integrators, sensors and human factors — almost every field of engineering is touched on in delivering this very potent machine. The Army, too, has seen enormous contributions from innovative engineering to protect our forces deployed on operation — strengthening their vehicles, accommodation and personal equipment.

But while more than £10bn worth of new equipment has been delivered to the forces in the last three years, the MoD has become concerned that some engineers perceived it as an impenetrable organisation not open to new businesses. That is why the MoD has made it easier for innovators to get involved and ensure we are benefitting fully from the best engineering and technical innovation the UK can offer.