International Defence Innovation Project
The Context
Contemporary national security concerns underscore the significance of innovation in military and defence contexts. Specifically, the resurgence of great power rivalry, the Russo-Ukrainian War, and the evolving nature of threats to international security underscore the imperative for a more profound comprehension of the ramifications of innovation capabilities. Concurrently, defence innovation remains an under-explored domain in Europe, resulting in substantial knowledge gaps and a paucity of expertise. This situation engenders conditions that impede the identification of novel solutions to pressing problems and challenges.
The Aim of the Project
The International Defence Innovation Project (IDIP) aims at establishing a solid understanding of the driving factors, key implications and related themes of defence innovation. In partnership with the Swiss Armed Forces and Stanford University, the GCSP will spearhead the effort to create knowledge, gather leading practitioners and share insights and best practices. To do so, the project will:
- Present the current state of defence innovation, the geopolitical context influencing it and provide a scan of relevant technologies;
- Explore the concept of “defence innovation”, its desirability and performativity, as well as study its drivers;
- Present the different processes leading to defence innovation in diverse contexts;
- Provide an overview of governance and public policy issues related to defence innovation, including ethical, legal and regulatory aspects.
Overall, the project will address common aspects of defence innovation by states governed by the rule of law, which will enable to share results and potential solutions.
The Structure of the Project
From 2024 to 2027, the International Defence Innovation Project (IDIP) will include three successive phases. Between 2024 and 2025, Phase I will consist of the creation of internationally leading knowledge and will be undertaken in collaboration with Stanford University.
Phase II of the project will take place in 2025 and will bring together leading experts, innovation practitioners, and high-level military decision-makers during an international workshop at Stanford University and the Annual Senior Officers Seminar (ASOS) at the GCSP.
During Phase III, the GCSP and the Swiss Armed Forces intend to build on the initial two phases to organise a major international conference on defence innovation in 2027.
