Defence: Innovation
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 65 of his department’s Defence Industrial Strategy, published 8 September 2025, what progress has the UKDI RIU made on one-way effectors.
Answered by Ministry of Defence
The UKDI Rapid Innovation Team (RIT), established in July 2025 as part of the formation of UKDI and evolving from the former Future Capability Innovation team within the legacy DE&S organisation, is tasked with exploring innovative technologies and novel ways of working.#
It is responsible for introducing the 3-2-1 Procurement Model and utilises industry mission partners alongside output-based requirements to rapidly develop Minimum Viable Products, which are quickly iterated into Minimum Viable Capabilities for end users.
The RIT has rapidly advanced the concept of One Way effectors (OWEs), transferring related business-as-usual activities to NAD-M, where a new Delivery Team was formed in the spring.
Continuing its innovation efforts, the RIT is also developing drone capabilities in collaboration with UK companies, focusing on enhancing range, performance, and payloads to meet specific mission requirements, while simultaneously strengthening UK supply chains and manufacturing opportunities.
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