Background
Drones, also known as uncrewed and autonomous systems, are changing how wars are fought, as recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have shown. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) sees the use of drones as a key part of its future warfighting capabilities and plans to spend over £5 billion on drones by 2030.
The MoD has also recognised that buying and supporting the use of drones need a different approach to traditional military procurement, given rapidly evolving operational requirements and the need for innovation and fast-paced technological advancement. The MoD intends to achieve this by accelerating acquisition reform, strengthening its industrial base, ensuring operational integration and fostering a culture of innovation across Defence, as set out in its 2024 Defence Drone Strategy.
Scope
This report will examine the MoD’s innovative approaches to procuring drones. We will look at whether the MoD:
- has established a well-considered approach to procuring drones innovatively
- can buy, use and sustain drone capabilities quickly, in the numbers needed, while securing value for money
- is learning from experience to improve its approach and adopt successful practices more widely
NAO team
Director: Tom McDonald
Audit Manager: Martin Chong