The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is set to conduct a “war game” simulating a large-scale conflict involving British troops, driven by concerns that the defence industry may struggle to produce sufficient equipment quickly enough for the front lines. As part of a new strategy, military suppliers will be required to demonstrate how they would ramp up production of critical weapons, including drones and missiles, on short notice, amid growing supply chain disruptions and escalating fighting.
The war game, which is expected to be a desktop exercise, will explore how the MoD and the defence industry can sustain personnel and ensure adequate weapon supplies when faced with constant disruption and intense conflict. Sources within the MoD have expressed concerns that current supply chains may lack the resilience and flexibility necessary to maintain an uninterrupted flow of weapons to the battlefield, particularly as the war in Ukraine has highlighted vulnerabilities in the existing approach.
Ministers have voiced frustration that too much focus has been placed on expensive, high-tech military equipment that is slow to manufacture, difficult to replace, and increasingly vulnerable to emerging technologies like drones. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated that such “exquisite” equipment—such as sophisticated tanks, armoured vehicles, and warships—can be easily targeted by drones, which are often low-cost, easily produced, and highly effective in disrupting high-tech military operations.
One senior government official likened the technological shift in modern warfare to a “machinegun moment for the army and a jet-engine moment for the air force,” stressing the rapid transformation of combat tactics demonstrated in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia. MoD sources noted that drone technology in Ukraine evolves every four to six weeks, highlighting the need for British defence manufacturers to quickly produce “high-impact, less time-intensive” pieces of equipment to keep pace with the changing nature of warfare.
The upcoming desktop war game will simulate a scenario in which Britain intensifies its involvement in a military conflict, resulting in a heightened demand for weapons to replace those used on the battlefield. It will test contingency plans from companies to rapidly increase production and explore the vulnerabilities within the supply chain, as well as the structures in place to deliver equipment to the front lines effectively.
Concurrently, Defence Secretary John Healey will launch the UK government’s new defence industrial strategy, aimed at gathering input from investors and the defence sector on how to create a more integrated and innovative defence industry. Healey will set an ambitious goal of creating more defence-sector jobs across the UK, emphasizing the potential for the industry to serve as a foundation for national renewal over the next decade.
In a bid to strengthen the UK’s defence capabilities, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to outline a path to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by the spring. The Treasury has indicated that the additional spending should primarily benefit the UK economy, fostering growth within the country.
Healey stressed the need for a more integrated and agile defence industry, one capable of equipping the armed forces, innovating at a wartime pace, and staying ahead of potential adversaries. “We are sending a signal to the market and to our adversaries,” he said. “With a strong UK defence sector, we will make Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”
Source: The Times, UK
