industry information > aerospace defence & homeland security

The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) was launched by the Government on 15 December 2005 to implement MoD's Defence Industrial Policy. SBAC was directly involved in discussions with the Government and played a key role in ensuring that the views of industry were fully represented and taken into account. Implementation of the DIS has since been a core SBAC activity and Government is now beginning the process of defining a DIS v2.0 in which SBAC is closely engaged. MOD has issued an Industry Engagement Strategy for DIS v2.0. This includes a series of briefings for industry, details of which will be circulated to all SBAC members.

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Better access to the US defence market is a key theme for the SBAC and we work closely with our sister organisation in the USA, the AIA, on issues of mutual interest to improve UK/US trade and co-operation. After Congressional opposition to the granting of an ITAR waiver to the UK and difficulties over technology transfer in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme, the transatlantic environment for defence trade cooperation is now beginning to improve. In December 2006 the UK received the necessary assurances on technology transfer to proceed with the next phase of the JSF programme and on 21 June 2007 a UK-US Defence Trade Co-operation Treaty was signed, which will allow goods, services and information intended for use by the authorities of the two countries to be exchanged without requiring an export licence.

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SBAC is closely involved in the efforts to create a European Defence Equipment Market both directly and through the European trade association, ASD, of which it is a leading member. This initiative is spearheaded by the European Defence Agency (EDA), but also involves the European Commission, and the coming into force of the new EU Code of Conduct for Defence Procurement on 1 July 2006 was a significant step forward in this area.

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The events of 11 September 2001 created a heightened awareness of security matters but in the years leading up to 9/11 homeland security was becoming an issue of increasing prominence in the UK and the British security market was already in an established growth period. The challenge now is for industry and Government to develop an R&D roadmap to ensure industry investment is better aligned with Government strategic priorities so new technologies can be quickly deployed when capability gaps are identified. SBAC has established a Security Network to develop member companies' contribution to homeland security and resilience. SBAC has also been closely involved in the formation of the Security and Resilience Industry Suppliers Council (RISC) which is an alliance of suppliers, trade associations and academics providing a single industry voice and channel of communication for Government.

There is growing recognition within industry of the importance of good practice in ethical issues and the need to have effective anti-corruption policies and SBAC supports industry efforts to demonstrate transparency and share good practice. SBAC is a signatory ASD Common Industry Standards for anti-corruption, an active member of the UK National Defence Anti-Corruption Forum, and the ASD Ethics Task Force.

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In December 2006 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution requesting Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon begin the process of drawing up a global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). This process is now moving forward within the UN and British industry is wholeheartedly supporting the initiative.

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