Embracing New Challenges Together
Good morning to you all.
Thank you for that kind introduction. It is a pleasure to bring a bit of cheerfulness to a role that is often associated with more somber topics. However, I must confess that, as I delve into the complexities of the threat landscape we face, maintaining that cheerful disposition may prove to be a challenge.
Your description of my governmental experience certainly resonates, particularly regarding fiscal pressures—something I have come to understand well through my leadership of two departments. I suspect some of my colleagues in the Treasury might view me as a significant contributor to the budgetary challenges we currently grapple with.
In fact, during previous budget review negotiations, I was likened to Katniss Everdeen, which perhaps underscores the stakes involved. The Prime Minister’s decision to appoint me as Defence Secretary comes at a time when we are not only increasing our investments but also recognising the need to push our efforts further. It’s truly wonderful to be here today.
Urgent Times Demand Bold Action
As I settle into Washington, I am acutely aware of the critical moment we find ourselves in. There has seldom been a time when the partnership between Britain and America is more vital. Now is the moment for us to think boldly and act with conviction. I extend my gratitude to our hosts for uniting us and for gathering such a diverse array of expertise in this room.
The most severe threats of the 20th century are re-emerging, now equipped with the advanced technologies of the 21st. The future of this century hangs in the balance between the ideals of freedom and the spectre of tyranny. With the war in Europe instigated by Russia, our adversaries are continuously testing our resolve, and the dangers we face are escalating, encroaching ever closer to our own borders.
Moreover, the very essence of warfare is undergoing a profound transformation right before our eyes, and Britain and America have historically refused to be mere bystanders as events unfold. In pivotal moments, we have actively shaped the course of history.
The Importance of Supporting Ukraine
Today, the frontline for freedom is situated in Ukraine, a nation that did not seek conflict yet was invaded by President Putin, not merely four and a half years ago, but over a decade ago with his incursion into Crimea. History teaches us that appeasement is a flawed strategy—a lesson we have learned through our experiences with Putin since 2014. My visit to Kyiv this summer exposed me to the grim realities wrought by his imperial ambitions: ruined shopping centres, makeshift shelters in underground car parks, and children’s toys amidst the rubble of homes obliterated by his war machine.
While the war may seem a world away from the daily lives of ordinary Americans, the struggle in Ukraine embodies a principle rooted in the highest ideals of American political thought: the right of free people to shape their own destinies, free from the dominion of a more powerful neighbour. Yet, our shared history imparts another crucial lesson: defending freedom is not merely a matter of principle; it is a matter of national self-interest.
Lessons from the Past Shape Our Future
President Truman and General Marshall understood well after the Second World War that the security of the United States and Europe were inextricably linked. Together, they, along with Britain and our allies, established the institutions and alliances that would support decades of transatlantic security. Initiatives such as the Marshall Plan and the establishment of NATO were not just acts of generosity; they were shrewd moves grounded in national self-interest.
This generation has learned through painful experiences that the cost of defending peace today can be significantly lower than the price of restoring it tomorrow. The present situation in Ukraine may be thousands of miles from American shores, but should aggression go unchallenged, if borders can be altered by force, and if the sovereignty of nations is deemed negotiable, the repercussions will not be contained within Ukraine or even my continent.
Thus, supporting Ukraine is not merely a choice between our values and our self-interest; it is a recognition that these two are ultimately intertwined.
The New Landscape of Warfare
Warfare remains as brutal and deadly as ever, yet Ukraine has irrevocably altered the nature of conflict. A drone costing $650 can eliminate a tank worth $4 million; uncrewed boats valued at a mere quarter of a million dollars can sink warships priced at $65 million. The interval between detecting and striking targets has shrunk dramatically, and new technologies can be deployed in mere weeks rather than years.
The implications are clear: military strength is no longer solely defined by the size or expense of platforms, but rather by the ability to innovate rapidly, produce at scale, and leverage relatively inexpensive technology for devastating military effect. Our competitors are merging industrial capacity with swift advancements in autonomy, artificial intelligence, drones, cyber capabilities, and electronic warfare.
Thus, modernisation transcends the mere acquisition of new technologies; it is about ensuring that our military has access to affordable, adaptable, and readily available weaponry as swiftly as possible. The outdated procurement model involving lengthy specifications and convoluted legal compliance has become obsolete.
Adapting to the Changing Times
We inhabit a world where weapons can be designed, developed, and deployed at remarkable speed. Nations that fail to adapt will not only lag behind; they will expose themselves to unnecessary risks. This necessitates enhancements in productivity and procurement processes. In the UK, we have set ambitious targets to reduce the time from concept to contract for new platforms from six years to a mere two, while adapting existing systems should take only one year, and everything else under three months.
Our strategic advantage increasingly resides with those who can learn, iterate, manufacture, and deliver capabilities the fastest. Embracing innovation requires us to take risks, learn from failures, and adapt quickly. The private sector achieves this daily, yet such a culture does not come easily to the political realm, where every misstep is magnified and scrutinised.
In a rapidly changing world, the most perilous phrase in defence is not “we tried and failed,” but rather “we’ve always done it this way.”
Innovative Approaches Yield Results
A new approach is already yielding encouraging results. Faced with an urgent need for Ukrainian air defence, rather than imposing a lengthy specification, we provided industry with a concise operational requirement. This freedom allowed for innovation, resulting in the design, development, and delivery of the RAVEN ground-launched missile system within just four months, at a total cost of under $25 million for the first eight systems.
Similarly, our small and medium-sized enterprises took designs for one-way attack drones from concept to flight in three months, with systems reaching the frontline in Ukraine within a year. By deliberately limiting technical requirements, companies were encouraged to experiment, learn from mistakes, and iterate rapidly, enabling the swift acquisition of essential defence tools that have saved lives and empowered Ukraine to counter Putin’s aggression.
We have risen to meet urgent challenges by pushing the boundaries of defence innovation, thereby maintaining an advantage over our adversaries. In real-time, we are learning from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where modern warfare necessitates much shorter feedback loops. The Avengers Lab, Ukraine’s pioneering military AI platform, exemplifies this, transforming combat data from the frontline into hyper-accurate algorithms that significantly enhance situational awareness and target identification on the battlefield.
Building a Stronger Defence Partnership
The UK now has access to this invaluable data, with universities, researchers, and technology firms collaborating to develop battle-winning AI capabilities in response. This illustrates a broader purpose: to connect the lessons learned from Ukraine with our innovation systems while those lessons remain relevant. A notable aspect of our evolving relationship during this conflict has been the transition from training Ukrainians to being trained by them.
The transformation of modern warfare presents a unique opportunity for both Britain and America—not only to renew our defence partnership but also to forge an alliance that is equipped for the challenges of this century. Our collaboration is rooted in generations of shared history, common purpose, and mutual sacrifice. I am convinced that this partnership remains the strongest and most enduring bilateral relationship in the world today.
Innovation and Manufacturing as Dual Priorities
However, its future must not rely solely on nostalgia. Collaboration in defence innovation can elevate our partnership to new heights for the remainder of this century. We have consistently demonstrated that UK-US collaboration outperforms our rivals in terms of innovation, and it is no wonder, given that we house some of the brightest minds, finest universities, and most innovative companies globally.
By pooling our resources, we can lead the advancement of defence technologies, from drones and uncrewed vessels to advanced fighter jets and artificial intelligence. If the last century of warfare was characterised by our soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder on the battlefield, the next can be defined by our scientists, engineers, and businesses working collaboratively in our laboratories, research institutes, and factories.
Yet, our ambitions must extend beyond mere innovation; we must also out-produce our adversaries. The ability to create the most sophisticated weapons is of little value if we cannot manufacture them in sufficient numbers, replenish our stockpiles, or sustain our forces through prolonged engagements. A