Meeting mission needs through collaboration, capability and culture.

 

Global defence organisations are under mounting pressure to respond to rapidly shifting operational requirements. Whether countering geopolitical instability, addressing evolving threats or operating under constrained budgets, success increasingly depends on the ability to innovate faster, smarter and at scale.

But innovation in defence is not a linear process. It spans unproven concepts, targeted development and large-scale deployment, with each stage requiring different capabilities, skill sets and cultural conditions. These stages range from exploratory innovation (marked by experimentation and high uncertainty) to targeted product development and, ultimately, service-level innovation focused on scale, operational efficiency and system-wide integration. 

This complexity is further compounded by legacy systems, skills shortages and regulatory constraints that can make even small transformations difficult to sustain.

Success depends on integrated innovation

To respond effectively, defence organisations must build integrated innovation environments. That means pairing the right digital tools with flexible architectures, agile methods and an experimentation mindset.

It also means investing in people: developing the skills, structures and partnerships to adapt faster, more consistently and with greater resilience. Leaders must align innovation strategy with real-world operational needs, embracing emerging technologies and fostering cultures of continuous improvement.

Public-private collaboration plays a critical role

The defence sector can benefit from stronger ties with academia and industry to accelerate research, close the skills gap and turn ideas into deployable, battle-ready capabilities. In particular, co-investment in skills development and emerging technologies, such as AI and quantum resilience, will be essential for maintaining operational advantage.

At the same time, technical and organisational debt must be confronted head-on. Outdated infrastructure, fragmented data, and siloed processes can quickly stall innovation at scale. By adopting agile operating models and modernised systems, we can reduce inefficiencies and enable continuous adaptation to mission needs.

However, none of this is possible without trust. Defence leaders must create space for calculated risk and feedback, and ensure strong governance to secure data, assure compliance and protect operational integrity as new technologies are adopted.

Innovation in defence is ultimately a team effort

By promoting collaboration across different disciplines, encouraging flexible mindsets, and investing in the development of both people and systems, defence leaders can transform uncertainty into opportunity.

With the right ecosystem in place (combining culture, capability and collaboration) defence organisations can accelerate their ability to anticipate, adapt and respond. In an environment of continuous change, success will favour those who are willing to challenge conventions and invest purposefully.

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DXC Technology works with defence organisations worldwide to secure systems, modernise IT estates and navigate complex change in a digital-first world. To learn more, visit their stand - DXC S12-300 - at DSEI UK 2025.