UK Defence launches world class innovation panel

On 27 February Secretary of State for Defence Sir Michael Fallon visited Reaction Engines at Culham Science Park in Oxfordshire, Central England. The visit was part of a series of visits to various facilities in the Oxford area to promote innovation inter-relationship amongst the Ministry of Defence, Front Line Commands, and suppliers. The image shows the minister being shown the SABRE (Synergetic Air-
Breathing Rocket Engine) installed in a mock up of a space craft. – photo: ©MoD Crown Copyright 2016

In a major speech at the University of Oxford on 27 February, the (UK) Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon announced the formation of a world class Panel which will help challenge and drive the innovation agenda at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), it has been reported.

Addressing engineering students, academics, and apprentices, Sir Michael announced members of the new Panel. They will be charged with driving forward the MoD’s Innovation Initiative, which aims to encourage imagination, ingenuity and entrepreneurship, in pursuit of maintaining a military advantage in the future. Sir Michael said: ‘Backed by an £800M innovation fund, we want to transform defence and work with small firms, academics and others to find solutions to the threats to our security. This panel of world class innovators will bring their drive and expert insights to the vital task of keeping the UK ahead of our adversaries and boosting our prosperity.’