Defence procurement needs complete transformation, minister warns

Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey says there must be a complete transformation in defence procurement to keep up with the pace of innovation.

Giving evidence to the Commons Defence Committee on Armed Forces Readiness, the minister also highlighted the challenge posed by quantum computing.

Mr Heappey expressed concern about the potential rapid obsolescence of newly deployed platforms, given the relentless speed of technological advancement during the hearing.

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"Obsolescence could be dangerously close for a platform that is newly arrived in service, given the speed of innovation," Mr Heappey warned.

Mr Heappey stressed the necessity for adaptability in the procurement process, acknowledging the imperative for change.

"The horizon that concerns me the greatest is the arrival of quantum computing," the minister said.

Anything that is powered by a quantum computer will be far ahead of anything that is not.

"That is an enormous concern," Mr Heappey said.

He went on to explain that procurement processes need to adapt rapidly so that anything that is procured has the capacity to upgrade.

The Defence Committee hearing highlighted the growing urgency for a procurement strategy that aligns with the rapid evolution of technology, ensuring that defence systems remain not only current but also adaptable to future advancements.