05 Oct 06. A report, published today by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and sponsored by QinetiQ, is the first independent analysis of the collective defence industry’s response to the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS). The report addresses a number of the key UK defence issues including the speed and ability of both the MoD and industry to adapt and implement many of the suggested changes; the perceived management, commercial and competence levels needed; the affordability and timescales best adopted to affect these changes; along with issues like balancing sovereignty and maintaining critical capabilities with technical innovation and the levels of commercial ability and competition, in order to continue delivering front line requirements. A preview of the initial findings took place at RUSI’s Whitehall Offices on 14th September with senior MoD officials and industrialists attending and feedback was incorporated into the report. The preview was also designed to stimulate further discussion among the MoD, industry and other stakeholders, both on the challenges in DIS and on taking DIS forward. During this event Amyas Morse, the MoD’s recently appointed new Defence Commercial Director stated: “It’s important we get a clear view of the issues, because if we don’t get planning and budgeting right, it’s difficult to keep programmes on track. Further development is needed and both business and the MoD need to get practical about the issues. Neither side can come up with a single solution and if we collectively develop clever solutions we can accomplish far more, ensure our resources go further and that we can maintain our defence capabilities.” Michael Codner, Director of Military Sciences at RUSI and principal report author, recognised that positive steps have already been made by both industry and the MoD, but reinforced calls for further development to tackle the defence industry’s perceived challenges for DIS: