UK MOD forms new defence alliance with 35 UK universities

Thirty-five UK universities are to form a new alliance with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to bring academia and the UK Armed Forces together. The alliance aims to boost defence industry skills across the UK and support vital research into new defence technologies.

The new initiative is part of a £182 million investment by the UK government to develop defence-related skills and expand opportunities across Britain in the defence and security sectors.

The MOD launches the Defence Universities Alliance

Launched on 13 July by UK Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP at the University of Manchester, the Defence Universities Alliance (DUA) will bring together defence and academia to strengthen research, develop critical skills and build the highly skilled workforce needed to support the UK’s future defence capability.

Under the scheme, students will be afforded greater access to defence careers, while 35 leading universities across the UK will help drive cutting-edge research through the new DUA.

Chosen from almost 100 applicants, the founding members of the DUA will strengthen connections between academia and the defence sector, developing a pipeline of skilled graduates to progress into related careers, including cyber security, robotics, AI, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing.

According to the MOD, the DUA is designed to produce candidates who leave university ready for work, with a bridge between study and employment.

By harnessing world-class research with the defence sector’s expertise, the DUA hopes to tackle future security challenges while translating innovative research into battlefield advantage and medical advances that will support personnel, veterans and families.

A full list of the 35 participating universities under the DUA scheme can be found here.  

Formed to develop connections with UK academia

According to Luke Pollard, MP and Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, the DUA has been formulated to develop connections between universities, students and innovators to boost the nation’s defence capability.  

“The Defence Universities Alliance will boost research, skills and defence expertise across the UK to strengthen industry. Universities play a key role in innovating and supporting defence, and the DUA helps marshal those efforts.”

“In this new era of threat, our £182 million defence skills package is helping to create opportunities for students, apprentices and young people, making sure our historic £298 billion defence investment is an engine for growth across the UK, and building on the more than 272,000 industry jobs supported by MOD spending,” Pollard added.

An ongoing programme of academic investment

Launched as a joint venture between the MOD, the UK Armed Forces, the Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor for National Security and the higher education sector, the DUA is the next step in the MOD’s involvement with UK academia, following an £80 million investment in 2,500 student places across 24 universities and colleges.

The DUA also forms part of the Government’s £182 million defence skills package, strengthening the UK’s talent pipeline, supporting economic growth, and ensuring every region benefits from the MOD’s £298 billion defence investment over the next four years.

The UK also recently announced the establishment of five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, backed by £50 million to boost skills in advanced manufacturing, engineering and technology while driving growth across the UK.