The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has introduced a new wargame, 'Defending Defender – Battle for the narrative', which focuses on a 2021 incident involving HMS Defender. The game aims to educate players on the principles of strategic communications, drawing from a Russian attempt to disrupt the vessel's passage through Crimean waters and the subsequent efforts to influence public opinion.
Co-designed with the Joint Information Activities Group (JIAG), a part of the UK MOD’s Defence Academy, the wargame's prototype was trialled with approximately 1,500 users. Following its success, a new boxed version has been developed, allowing play without a facilitator to reach a wider audience.
The game is designed for 2 to 8 players, representing the UK and Russia, and features unique challenges for each country. It consists of three phases, lasting around 45 minutes in total, and is intended to help students understand the broader impact of their choices in complex scenarios. The boxed game is now being rolled out within the MOD, across 15 NATO nations, and in institutions in Australia.
Colin, Dstl's Chief Wargamer and Head of the Defence Wargaming Centre, stated that influence in conflict can be as important as physical force. Captain Vince Owen, who commanded HMS Defender during the 2021 incident, highlighted the importance of understanding and shaping the information environment, noting that tactical success alone may not be sufficient for strategic objectives.