DVD, Defence Vehicle Dynamic, is a major event for those involved in equipment and support for the UK’s Land Forces. It is showcasing the equipment and technology that can support a British Army that is fit to meet future challenges and embrace the need for continuous adaptation. DVD2018 is bringing together the military, industry and the acquisition community for two days of informal discussions, engagement with users, briefings, seminars, demonstrations and live displays.

Stuart Andrew, British Minister of Defence for Procurement, during his speech on Wednesday, September 19, made announcements, among which the official request for quotation of the Boxer MIV purchase by the British MoD (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Those attending are able to see a wide range of equipment and services on display from Defence industry exhibitors including specialist vehicles through to all the equipment and services necessary to support land-based military operations. For those involved in Land Equipment for Army Headquarters, DE&S and Front Line Commands DVD2018 provides an ideal opportunity to identify innovation, develop ideas and generate a greater understanding of technologies, capabilities and requirements.

The theme is innovation today and tomorrow: exploiting current capabilities more creatively and identifying novel solutions to enable Conceptual Force Land 2035. The international system is undergoing a major transition; the rules based international order is under strain, characterised by uncertainty and instability. At the same time, the tempo of technological change and the pervasiveness of information are driving changes in the character of conflict. However, the role of land power remains the same - to exert control within the land environment and to influence the behaviour of actors and the course of events. The framework through which this is achieved remains manoeuvre.

A modern Army must explore novel solutions and experimentation in how it achieves manoeuvre. It must examine how it might use its current inventory differently and how it will operate in the future land environment, interoperable with combined, joint, intra-governmental, inter-agency and multinational systems. Such innovation must be cognisant of the need to train for complex future operating environments exploiting simulation and technology that can support a live, virtual and constructive blend of training. Future equipment must also provide logistic efficiency and agility with key emphasis placed upon reducing logistic need.

Defence Vehicle Dynamic 2018 is an opportunity to demonstrate the vital contribution capability innovation and industry collaboration can make to enable an affordable and sustainable Army ready for the challenges of the future.

Particular areas of interest, that will be developed through DVD 2018 engagement between Defence industry, DE&S and Army Teams, presentations and workshops include:

The Army Strike concept. Strike aims to deliver a highly deployable infantry force able to sustain movement, manoeuvre and long-range patrolling, under armour, for distances that a heavy armoured-tracked force cannot match. Concept developed is being enabled through the Strike Experimentation Group (SEG). Ideas and solutions to store, prepare, deploy, project and support the ‘Strike’ force and its equipment will be considered.

Specialised Infantry Group. Specialised Infantry Battalions are being developed to provide an increased contribution to countering terrorism and building stability overseas. They will conduct defence engagement and capacity building, providing training, assistance, advice and mentoring to our partners. There are currently two Specialised Infantry Battalions, with a further two planned to be established in 2019.

Reducing Logistic Need (RLN). Reducing Logistic Need is a significant challenge – enabling Manoeuvre, supporting the Strike concept with enhanced reach and agility, set within the context of the current financial pressures. RLN will consider improvements to support solutions for Land systems, ideas to reduce both logistic demand and efficient supply, the need to develop Logistic Information Exploitation (Log IX) systems, and appropriate people to manage and deliver agile logistic solutions.

DEEP operations. The deep battle focusses on an enemy’s uncommitted forces. As part of developing the deep battle improvements in Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities and Mobile Fires Platforms are envisaged.

Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) systems. The development of C4I systems and investment in our ability to communicate and to share information will complement the Army contribution to the Joint Force Capability.

Year of Engineering and STEM development. The Year of Engineering is a government campaign which celebrates engineering. It forms an important part of our Industrial Strategy which is committed to boosting engineering across the UK. This campaign includes activities to highlight the need to develop science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills and improve awareness designed to inspire interest in these sectors.