Raytheon Australia’s Post

#DisruptiveTech 🔴 Procurement and delivery improvements needed: A Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) review found systemic issues in defence-wide UK military procurement and DE&S internal challenges, it was revealed at the Defence Simulation Education and Training (DSET) conference in 2024, which took place last week (10-13 June). Simon Pearce, head of the training and simulation systems portfolio at DE&S, the UK’s arm’s-length defence procurement agency, discussed a comprehensive problem review concerning the state of DE&S and its role within the broader defence sector at DSET 2024. The problem review process began approximately 18 months prior to the conference as part of an effort to enhance productivity, inject pace into operations, and ensure the delivery of high availability, lethality, resilience, and prosperity within the defence sector. The DE&S undertook a thorough examination of its operations and the larger defence ecosystem to identify critical areas that required attention and improvement. Four issues that were considered to be defence-wide concerns, and three that were internal challenges for DE&S. ➡️ Defence-wide: 1️⃣ Unrealistic funding allocations and frequently changing defence programmes  2️⃣ Absence of a clear and consistent understanding across the defence sector regarding DE&S’s specific role and its responsibilities 3️⃣ Ineffective prioritisation mechanisms within the defence sector 4️⃣ A fragmented and disjointed end-to-end defence acquisition system ➡️ Internally DE&S: 1️⃣ Identified a challenge in having multiple incoherent processes  2️⃣ The organisational structure was also determined to non-optimised, with structural inefficiency impacting ability to deliver  3️⃣ Pointed out ineffective management and deployment of DE&S resources #defence #defenceprocurement #defenceequipment #logistics #technology Campaign Catapult, Pravo Consulting

Strengthening the UK’s Defence Supply Chain event   10:00-11:30am Wednesday 13th September – DSEI, London   The MOD’s Strategic Supplier Management Team are excited to be running an event at DSEI 2023 supported by Make UK Defence.   The event will start with opening addresses by Andy Start Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) CEO and Andrew Kinniburgh Director General of Make UK Defence, followed by bookable appointments with representatives from across MOD and industry. Attendees include Defence Digital, Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Defence and Security Accelerator, Lockheed Martin and more. Focusing on SMEs, this event is a great opportunity to increase industry collaboration. The UK defence supply chain needs SME suppliers that thrive on agility and disruption. We want SMEs to see defence as a priority market where they can focus their creative energy, developing technological advances that maintain the UK’s battle-winning edge.   Please register your interest for the event on Eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/gj-vvkt2   You will then be sent registration details for the event platform and following this, you will be able to book appointments in due course. Interested in becoming a member? Click the following link:   https://lnkd.in/dnrziuaD   For any enquires or for more information please contact [email protected]   #makeukdefence #defencesupplychains #ukmanufacturing #ukmfg Andrew Kinniburgh Estelle Exelby Samantha Hill Maria Winsper Kelly Maddison Charline Diomande James V. James Watson  

Interesting article that is not hugely surprising. It is obviously an interesting time for Defence industry at the moment and many are struggling while waiting for clear direction from the Commonwealth. Having been on both sides of the Defence acquisition process as well as an end user I understand the different points of view. It is worth noting that Defence is beholden to the Government of the day. The Government direction and process will impact decisions, timelines, budgets and every thing else through committees. This is not easy to navigate. Many times the advice or recommendations of Defence are ignored. I know first hand that our brothers and sisters in uniform are often equally if not more frustrated by this bureaucratic inertia. More often than not they are motivated by getting good equipment to our troops in a timely fashion. I think this nuance is important to understand before blaming ‘Defence’. Hopefully 2024 provides more clarity and positivity for us all.

🧠 No matter where your company sits within the defence supply chain, this is your chance to pick the brains of a plethora of experience!   We're excited to host an interactive panel discussion and Q&A session that will represent the point of views of the entire supply chain! Who Should Attend? ▪️ SMEs with established products: Looking to break into or expand within the defence sector? Gain insights on how to win business effectively. ▪️ Newcomers and innovators: Understand the best next steps for your technology or services in the defence landscape. ▪️ Primes: Learn how to optimize collaboration with SMEs and contribute to the evolving dialogue. Featured Panelists: ▪️ Sir Chris Deverell: With a military career spanning over 40 years, he now works with large corporations and SMEs as an industry consultant. ▪️ Charlie Heard: has experience working with the South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster. Expert in fostering relationships between Primes and SMEs, currently Head of Procurement & Supply Chain, Babcock International Group. ▪️ Jenny Shaw: CEO of SMI Group, who has over the past 10 years seen the organisation grow its relationship directly with MOD and Primes. So don't let your defence procurement questions go unanswered. Find out more and submit your pressing questions today: https://lnkd.in/eeggccDn 📅 Wednesday, 24th January 🕐 1300 GMT ⏳ Register by 1700 GMT, Monday 22nd January #Defence #Defense #DefenceIndustry #DefenseIndustry #SupplyChain #DefenceLogistics #Webinar #Procurement #SMEs #Logistics #DefenceEngage

Commercial X has made changes to our tender notices for services and works contracts, helping MOD procurement teams re-procure services quickly and cost-efficiently, without needing to go back out to market. Utilising regulation 16(1)(d)(ii)) will allow services which have been successfully delivered to be scaled or repeated at pace within five years, for the same or other MOD customers. This encourages collaboration and sharing of best commercial practices across Defence. This improvement demonstrates Commercial X’s commitment to drive pace and agility into procurement across Defence and accelerate procurement processes for the benefit of our frontline forces. Learn more about Commercial X ⬇️ #CommercialX #DefenceAcquisition #DefenceProcurement #ScalingatPace

The global rush to rearm is putting unprecedented strain on Defence supply chains. This could create bottlenecks and delays for #SMEs seeking to enter the market. Lengthy procurement processes, material shortages, and fierce competition can make it increasingly difficult for SMEs to secure their place in complex Defence programs. AIC Connect has deep expertise in navigating the challenges of the Defence industry. We'll help you develop strategies to mitigate supply chain risks and position your business for success in a competitive environment. Let's discuss how your business can create supply chain resilience for Australian Defence projects. Get in touch, anytime: https://lnkd.in/g-jygikq #DefenceIndustry #SupplyChains #GlobalDefence #Opportunities #AustralianDefence #SMEs

Why are Implementing Agencies (IA) uniformly against a formalized rating system of US Government Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program management? With no formal process giving the international partner a voice in assessing the quality of support, IA security assistant organizations shape—or ignore—the FMS picture in whatever direction management directs, in many cases, exclusive of reality.  A form of malignant neglect, driven by non-adherence to proven management and business methods and techniques, sustains a smokescreen of alleged professionalism. This façade is propagated up the Chain of Command to safeguard leadership’s power and position. Any form of management best practices is unknown, unenforced, and unencouraged.  Oversight self-regulation places power in the hands of those most likely to abuse it. As a result, this system—or lack thereof—has led to ethical and veracity issues with the international partner. Compounding this is a workforce within which there are many neither emotionally nor intellectually capable of successfully dealing with the challenges that come with international program management. IA FMS organizations are a dumping ground for non-performers. Time and again, partner recommendations in improving the oversight process have been rejected. A formalized set of rating standards, based on jointly agreed upon program management documents, was presented for implementation to a couple of IAs several years ago. Pushback was swift and volatile. Not only did the Missile Defense Agency and the US Army Aviation Missile Command oppose this procedure, but the local FMS element within the Embassy Defense Attache’s Office strongly objected. Collecting partner feedback not only shows you value their opinions but is foundational to improving performance. Am I missing something here?

European defence industrial strategy is in Commission work programme 2024. It is interesting to see this topic in the list as just last week AmCham EU held a roundtable breakfast to discuss the importance of strengthening the EU's defence industry with representatives from the defence sector. The main topic was strategic autonomy meaning to have capacity to act when it is required. Q1 2014 will be interesting.

Here is an exclusive in-person opportunity that builds on the DSEI keynote by VAdm Andy Kyte CB FCILT in which he envisioned the future plans for the armed forces logistics and support.   Co-hosted by Defence Engage and DXC Technology, meet the UK Ministry of Defence team including AVM Richard Pratley and Maj Gen Phil Prosser CBE, where SMEs can hear in more detail the vision from this area of MOD and how SMEs can contribute. What to expect? 📢 Briefing by AVM Pratley and Maj Gen Prosser on the MOD Logistics & Support strategies and approaches. ❓ A dynamic Q&A session followed by networking. 🗣️ An open forum to discuss how SMEs could contribute and engage with MOD’s projects. ⚙️ Invitation particularly relevant to SMEs specialising in business modernisation, asset management, supply chain change programmes, and decision support.   Deadline for registration 1700 Wednesday 11th October, and suggest a topic to guide the discussion. Don't miss out and secure your place now: https://lnkd.in/evq_tWTE #Defence #DefenceIndustry #SupplyChain #SMEs #Logistics