Strengthening Defence Through Wargaming
In recent years, there has been a resurgence in using wargaming to support decision making across the MOD and, to some extent, wider government.
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In response, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) established the Defence Wargaming Centre (DWC) at Portsdown West (PDW), significantly increasing its analytical wargaming capability and capacity. In concert with this, Strategic Command further enhanced MOD wargaming capability and capacity, a central part was the establishment of the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub (DEWH) at MOD Southwick Park (SWP).
The two organisations already work closely together and, this October, they formalised their relationship with the signing of a partnership charter. The charter sets out principles to ensure that the two centres operate coherently, consistently and efficiently in pursuit of a common set of goals.
Against the backdrop of Southwick Park’s historic D-Day Map room, Rear Admiral Andrew Betton, Director Integrated Warfare Centre, Strategic Command completed the signing of the partnership principles already signed by Dr Tim Sheldon, Dstl Chief Delivery Officer (represented in the Map Room by Linda Knutsen, Dstl Head of Exploration).
Rear Admiral Andrew Betton, Director Integrated Warfare Centre (Dir IWC), Strategic Command said:
In the spirit of ‘One Defence’, we are building a sustainable and effective Defence-wide wargaming enterprise that fosters innovation and supports the development of UK wargaming capability.
Dir IWC, expands with:
This partnership between the Defence Wargaming Centre and the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub has laid the critical foundation for a coherent, consistent, and efficient wargaming operation in support of MOD goals.
This partnership is critical to the MOD’s goal of enhancing its overall wargaming capability and capacity across UK Defence. Together Strategic Command and Dstl are leading innovative ways to integrate wargaming as a key tool for decision support, experimentation, training and education, and strategic foresight.
This collaboration sets out the shared vision of creating a unified, MOD-wide wargaming enterprise focused on delivering an efficient, effective, and sustainable wargaming structure across the MOD. Establishing a co-leadership model that ensures decisions impacting both the DEWH and DWC are made together, priorities are aligned, and demand for wargaming services are managed effectively.
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Linda Knutsen, Head of Exploration, Dstl said:
Defence must be agile to respond to the pace of technological change and ever evolving threats. Through wargaming, we help Defence leaders understand opportunities, threats and priorities – helping the UK and our allies maintain operational advantage.
Rear Admiral Betton also recognised the efforts the wider team have played in the success of the wargaming partnership, stating that:
On behalf of Strategic Command, I would especially like to thank everyone who has been involved in this progressive journey of developing the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub at Southwick Park and fostering the strong partnership with Dstl’s Defence Wargaming Centre. Especially, the sterling efforts by Mike Larner, Head of the Defence Wargaming Centre for his nurturing leadership in facilitating this partnership.
Mike Larner, Dstl’s Head of Defence Wargaming Centre said:
This partnership is an exciting new chapter in the development of MOD’s wargaming capability. Bringing together the energy, expertise, facilities and networks of the DWC and DEWH will significantly enhance the already world-class UK wargaming capability.
Captain Eugene Morgan (RN), Assistant Head Wargaming, Strategic Command said:
“Wargaming provides a strong opportunity for collaboration across industries, government, and allies. It drives innovation and helps to build a stronger, more resilient defence capability benefiting both the MOD and the broader security community. This partnership between the Defence Wargaming Hub and Dstl will strengthen MOD’s capability and deepen the capacity to deliver robust evidence-based solutions.”
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The partnership between Strategic Command and Dstl represents a powerful commitment to strengthening the MOD’s wargaming capabilities. By working together, these two organisations ensure that wargaming becomes a core component of UK Defence strategy, helping shape preparedness and strategic foresight, ensuring resilience and readiness in an ever-changing global defence landscape.