Strategic Command Strategy – techUK Summary

Overview

Published in November, the Strategic Command Strategy sets out how the organisation will change the way UK Defence works and the plans for integration in the future. The Strategy sets out the Command’s intent, setting out what UK Defence will need the Integrated Force 2030 to do. Delivery of the Strategy is the responsibility of the Command’s Executive Committee and will include an implementation roadmap to monitor progress in delivering the Strategy on an annual basis.

Vision & Purpose

The Strategy’s ultimate purpose is to direct the transformation of Strategic Command to deliver integration across UK Defence. The critical capabilities for transformation identified in the Strategy are:

1. Authority

Key activities include:

• Delivering the Multi-Domain Integration (MDICP) Change Programme

2. People

Key activities include:

• Delivering Strategic Command People Strategy and MDICP culture work strand

3. Data

Key activities include:

• Delivering Defence Digital Strategy and implementation Defence Data Strategy
• Exploiting the Digital Foundry

4. Technology

Key activities include:

• Establishing a Defence Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre
• Supporting realization of 2020 Science & Technology (S&T) Strategy

The Strategy sees the following strategic outcomes through the transformation of critical capabilities:

1. Integrated Capabilities

Key activities include:

• Delivery of the Digital Backbone
• Delivery of the MDICP

2. Orchestrated Activity & Effects

Key activities include:

• Development, Concepts & Doctrine Centre (DCDC) & Defence Academy

3. Improved Understanding

Key activities include:

• Delivery of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Strategy and Defence Intelligence (DI) transformation

4. Enhanced Global Reach

Key activities include:

• Delivery of the Defence Support Strategy and Defence Medical Services transformation
• Focused investment in the UK strategic base and overseas bases

5. Disruptive Capabilities

Key activities include:

• Delivery of the Special Operations Transformation Programme and the Information Advantage Change Campaign

The Strategy commits Strategic Command to have embedded integrated and accelerated transformation by 2025, delivering the following benefits for UK Defence:

1. The Command will be transformed, with optimised structures and people with the right – increasingly digital – skills Defence requires
2. The whole force will be educated, trained and inspired to think and operate in an integrated, multi-domain context
3. Reach and effectiveness will be enhanced by increasingly adaptable support and medical services, an optimised strategic base and resilient overseas basing
4. Decision-makers will be supported by more timely and relevant information and intelligence
5. The Digital Backbone will be revolutionising the way UK Defence works, from support to front-line operations
6. Integrated operations will be the default: all military activity conducted within a coordinated national approach that includes non-lethal effects (e.g., cyber and information).

Looking further ahead to 2030, the Strategy see Strategic Command contributing to national strategic advantage, having pan-Defence agility to respond to changing threats. This will include:

1. Sensing and understanding through enduring forward presence, improved networks and enhanced Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
2. Orchestrating, communicating and commanding via robust, secure strategic communications, using greatly improved space and cyber capabilities
3. Operating and influencing at range from enhanced global hubs, delivering effect seamlessly alongside other elements of national power
4. Constraining adversaries by presenting multiple dilemmas in an agile way through integrated action
5. Continually innovating and experimenting to cement the UK’s strategic advantage, applying agile procurement, support, and delivery processes in support of operations
6. Transforming Defence culture so the whole force instinctively thinks, acts, and delivers in an integrated way

The Strategy also outlines a set of Values that will be adhered to by Strategic Command to drive change towards the realisation of the strategic outcomes.

The Values are:

1. Progressive – thinking and acting in the best interests of Defence, including taking responsibility, both individually and collectively, for the changes needed to make the strategy succeed
2. Innovative – challenging assumptions and suggesting alternative approaches. This includes sharing best practice and creating and adopting new ways of working as well as empowering people to take risks to deliver solutions to problems
3. Inclusive – creating an environment based on fairness and respect in which everyone feels able to contribute

The Strategy also outlines a set of Themes which detail how the Command’s transformation contributes to broader government objectives. The Themes are:

1. Partnerships – coordinating actions across government and internationally with allies
2. Prosperity – contributing towards the government’s objective of securing strategic advantage through Science & Technology by implementing the Defence & Security Industrial Strategy and strategic investment in Research & Development
3. Sustainability – improving sustainability to meet the ambition set out in the Defence Command Paper

To read the full Strategic Command Strategy click here.