To achieve CGS’s objective of tripling the Army’s effectiveness by 2030, the British Army must adopt modern technologies at a rapid pace while retiring outdated systems. The recent decision to retire the Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) highlights the urgency of this task.

Watchkeeper, conceived in the 1990s and operationalised in 2018, exemplifies the MOD’s traditional approach of procuring “exquisite” solutions—highly capable but expensive platforms designed for prolonged use. The rapid evolution of drone warfare, as demonstrated in Ukraine, has demonstrated the need for low-cost, disposable platforms that can be mass-produced and deployed in vast numbers. Quite simply, Watchkeeper has been overtaken by events where the half-life of technology is measured in weeks and exquisite technologies that were planned to be reused time and again have been replaced by consumable technology and a desire for experimental warfare.

The Integrated Procurement Model release in Spring 24 recognised that the MoD procurement system is ill-suited to the paradigm of rapid technology evolution and integration and requires reform. Historically, the Design Authority (DA) role was outsourced to large corporate contractors known as Prime System Integrators (PSIs). While this model mirrors the construction industry’s use of subcontractors, it inadvertently stifles innovation by creating “goldfish bowls”—isolated systems that resist interoperability.

On the 10th January 2025 the Commons Defence Select Committee released a report critical of the MOD’s approach to AI, stating that “while MOD policy documents talk about AI as a transformative development, the department does not behave as though this is the case.”   The Committee does not appear to acknowledge that the key to exploiting AI is allowing the AI to have access to data because the “goldfish bowl” procurement approach prevents the easy finding of, and access to, data.

To break free from these limitations, the MOD must shift to a data fabric, or Defence Internet of Things (DIoT), enabling data to flow freely across the enterprise. This approach transforms the current “goldfish bowls” of isolated data into a vast ocean where any user can access the information they need. The Single Information Environment (SIE) aims to deliver this capability, forming the backbone of the integrated force, as discussed in our previous article, The Role of Data in Achieving an Integrated Force.

The implications are profound. By enabling near-instantaneous access to data from across Defence – all five domains, allies, PAGs and Industry - users can leverage AI to process battlefield information, identify trends, and outpace adversaries in decision-making. Synthetic environments will facilitate real-time course of action (COA) development, detailed planning, and rapid replanning as circumstances evolve.

These advancements will also enhance MOD’s ability to integrate cutting-edge technology. For example, work conducted under the Futures Lab programme demonstrated the feasibility of integrating third-party products into the MOD enterprise within days. This agility reduces dependence on PSIs, empowering the MOD to procure directly from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and SMEs. Our Cyber Security Advisory Services effectively provide the expertise needed to navigate this technological integration.

The third instalment of this series will explore the implications of data coherence for defence back-office operations, including procurement and budgeting. If your organisation seeks to enhance its data integration and technological adoption strategies, contact us for expert guidance.

 Explore the Full Series: Achieving an Integrated Force  

This blog is part of our four-part series examining the British Army’s journey towards an integrated force. Discover how innovation in technology, AI, automation, and data integration is shaping the future of defence. If you haven’t explored the rest of the series, we encourage you to visit them and discover the full story behind the British Army’s transformation towards an Integrated Force:

1. Part 1: The role of data in achieving an Integrated Force

   How the British Army aims to triple its fighting power through data-driven solutions

2. Part 2: Embracing Emerging Technologies

   From goldfish bowls to oceans of innovation — enabling faster adoption of technology

3. Part 3: Revolutionising Defence Back-Office Operations

   Streamlining logistics, procurement, and readiness to meet modern challenges

4.  Part 4: Breaking Down Barriers to Efficiency

   A new approach to data, procurement, and integration for a more lethal Army