AIR POWER 2017 43
21 ST CENTURY PARTNERSHIPS
21 ST CENTURY PARTNERSHIPS
Simon Michell asks Stephen Phipson, Head of the Department for
International Trade Defence and Security Organisation (DIT DSO),
about the benefits of the close relationships between his department,
the Ministry of Defence, the armed services and industry
EXPORT ADVICE
D
efence exports are important to the
United Kingdom on numerous levels.
At their most basic level they contribute
to the health of the nation’s finances.
However, beyond that, they also provide a
strategic advantage by helping to support the
domestic defence technology research and
development that helps the UK maintain a
technological advantage in preparation for
potential future conflicts.
Defence exports also contribute to the deepening
of doctrinal and operational interoperability between
the UK and its partners, and act as an adjunct for
projecting stability overseas in regions where the UK
is helping to build capacity and enhance security.
The numbers are significant. In 2015, the UK
won £7.7 billion of new defence equipment and
services contracts. Added to that, sales of some
£4 billion in security equipment were also achieved;
the former representing military hardware and
support services, the latter more closely linked
with assisting other nations to protect national
infrastructure, key personnel and, increasingly, cyber
networks. Over recent times, the UK has sold aero-
engines to France, fast jets to India, Oman and Saudi
Arabia, helicopters to Norway and South Korea,
Offshore Patrol Vessels to Brazil, Ireland and Oman
and bridging equipment to the United States.
Stephen Phipson is the UK Government’s man
in charge of facilitating this export activity as head
The Eastern
Hawk Red Arrows
deployment was a
prime example of the
close cooperation
that exists between
DIT DSO and
the RAF (PHOTO:
CPL STEVE BUCKLEY /
© CROWN COPYRIGHT)
