UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has highlighted the rapid evolution of warfare, noting that new technologies are transforming the character of conflict. Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, he stated that military power is no longer solely measured by the size or cost of platforms.
Mr Streeting explained that a $650 drone can destroy a $4 million tank, and uncrewed boats costing a quarter of a million dollars can sink warships worth $65 million. He stressed that advantage now belongs to those who can innovate fastest, produce at scale, and effectively deploy relatively cheap technology.
The Defence Secretary outlined the UK's commitment to modernising its procurement processes. The aim is to cut the time from concept to contract for new platforms from six years to two, adapt existing ones from three years to one, and reduce the timeframe for other items to under three months.