Government

Transforming the UK's defence capability

A nation's defence planning can be notoriously difficult. No country wants to leave itself exposed to threats, but in the calm of peacetime it can be tempting to forget the importance of ongoing investment.

The UK is committed to spending two percent of GDP on defence. It spent 2.3 percent in 2023, and is expected to reach 4.5 percent across 2024/25, reflecting the fact the world is seen as an increasingly unstable place.

Transforming the UK's defence capabilities will not rely on increased funding alone. The Ministry of Defence has charged the country's armed services with creating a data-centric, digitally-optimised fighting force. It sees digital transformation as an opportunity to out-compete the adversary, to better integrate with partners, and to improve efficiency both on operations and at home to ensure an improved lived experience.

For the Army, with 75,000 service personnel, 25,000 reservists and up to 9500 supporting civil servants, the engine of this enormous programme of work is THEIA, named after a titan in Greek mythology. THEIA's job is to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies services and solutions which will enhance the Army's operational effectiveness and improve decision-making. This spans everything from augmented reality to aid soldiers in the field, refining the use of autonomous vehicles, sensors to manage energy costs in barracks, or improving connectivity between soldiers and their families.

"THEIA will not do the transformation, but it should create the right conditions for change," says Craig Collins, lead architect, programme THEIA, British Army. "Different business units must drive their own transformation. The plan is for the Army to be digital by default and secure by design."
This requires many things, but fundamentally it needs reliable connectivity. Within THEIA, the Army Estate Wide Internet Access (AEWIA) project aims to revolutionise connectivity for the Army. This huge undertaking, the UK's second largest network infrastructure project, needs to provide consistent Wi-Fi across 498 sites, many of them remote and covering huge areas.

Deriving operational intelligence from fresh data

Connectivity for the Army is being delivered through a managed service from BT. This service is based on Cisco technology. The Army's engagement with BT and Cisco goes back to 2016.

"Cisco has been instrumental in showing us the art of the possible," says Collins. "It is more than connectivity, it is about bringing to life a whole range of services on top of the network. We see Cisco as a strategic partner."

Cisco Catalyst switches and access points and Cisco Spaces are a key component of the AEWIA project. In tandem, Cisco Catalyst and Cisco Spaces will enable the Army to deploy quickly—ultimately across over 200 locations in phase one—and start to gather insight into how its estate is being used.

"For the first time we're starting to derive operational intelligence from the information we're able to collect," says Collins. This information is now in the hands of facilities management, staff welfare personnel, and camp commanders, he adds: "It is democratising the access to data."

Initial roll out included the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, Army Headquarters in Andover and the Larkhill garrison near Salisbury. The latter is earmarked as a 'smart base', with blended learning environments capable of trialling the latest digital ideas. A further 162 locations have been identified for phase two roll out .

Unlocking new levels of efficiency

The impact of the successful roll-out of AEWIA can already be considered transformational, says Collins.

"It's changed the lives of thousands of service personnel" says Collins. "Just by being able to video call their families and keep in touch."
To many, this may sound mundane, but it is a critical component of the Army's new approach to recruitment and retention. The Army recognises it must create an environment that is at least the equal of wider society. That means a Wi-Fi signal strong enough to support eSports, VideoCalls, and applications that could enable soldiers to book time in the barracks' gym or check quiet times at the canteen. Operationally, for example, enabled trials to prove Army mechanics could log work or order parts via a mobile device

"You could argue that Wi-Fi access is a right. We're giving soldiers access to the same things as any citizen," he says.
Trials of Cisco Spaces hope to unlock new levels of insight into how to improve efficiency across the Army's built environment. For example, facilities management could check buildings for occupancy, allowing heating to be better monitored and maintenance to be better scheduled. Unused buildings or floors could be shuttered or repurposed. This helps demonstrate potential cost savings that could be redirected into frontline services—and helps the Ministry of Defence meet its sustainability commitments (it is mandated to be carbon net zero by 2050). Future plans include wayfinding and asset tracking, a practical necessity on some of these huge estates.
There are also a host of benefits to the Army as a fighting force. The Wi-Fi network supports the latest digital battlefield technology; soldiers have a more modern and engaging learning environment; bases have more secure digital ID entry and HD security cameras; and it is easier for the Army to work with technology suppliers.

"The Army recognises it has a way to go, but it has a unique ability to take criticism and react to it," says Collins. "They are a different breed. They're taught early that, should they encounter a problem, it is up to them to find a solution. They're very open to innovation. We’re pushing at an open door."