Defence acquisition is conducted in a complex strategic context. Most importantly, it needs to reflect assessments of current and future threats as well as focused support to current operations. There are also important considerations around support and development of the defence industrial base as well as investment in key technologies for proprietary use or exploitation in export markets. Further important factors include strategies for mutual cooperation across national borders or within international coalition arrangements.
The Review team has focused its attention on the effectiveness of the acquisition organisation and processes in its given strategic context, but was also cognisant that it could be important to consider whether aspects of the strategic framework described above are impacting the effectiveness of the acquisition system itself.
This chapter sets out perspectives in the following areas:
• national defence strategy and its implication for defence capability planning;
• the MoD's relationship with the Defence industry via the Defence Industrial Strategy;
• defence and broader national technology strategy and policy;
• export strategy; and
• cross-border cooperation and collaboration.
It seeks to draw conclusions on how strategic considerations can be important in driving the performance of the MoD acquisition system, and if changes to any of these could, or should, be considered as part of systematic improvement.