Emerging Domain Threats and Challenges – Space and Drones

Dr Chris Lavers, Senior Lecturer at the University of Lincoln at Britannia Royal Naval College, was recently invited, following his Visiting Fellowship at the Changing Character of Warfare- Strategy, Statecraft and Technology Centre, Pembroke, Oxford,  to participate in a key round-table Strategic Technology Alliance meeting “Deep Innovation, Changing World Orders,”, and give a talk “Urban Environment Threats Posed by the Proliferation of Modified Commercially Available UAVS by Asymmetrical Warfare Actors “in the Old Library, All Soul’s College, Oxford, to the Oxford Strategic Studies Group (OUSSG). The OUSSG is the oldest student society focusing on international affairs, and dedicated to hosting speakers on issues of defence, security and foreign policy; founded in 1969 by military historian Professor Sir Michael Howard, it permits critical reflection upon strategic and international affairs, by distinguished practitioners and scholars.

Chris participation was also sought for the Oxford AUKUS dialogue at the Blavatnik School of Government on 3 March in the Department of Government. Chris said, “My key contribution was in discussion of ideas within the space industry working group. As the world grapples with shifting power dynamics, AUKUS Pillar 2 focuses on advanced technological collaboration- presenting strategic opportunities and hurdles.”

The roundtable explored key dynamics and assessed progress on alliances across artificial intelligence, quantum, cyber capabilities, and undersea amongst Australia, the UK, and the USA.

Chris also commented, “Obstacles to surmount include navigating restrictive export controls and technology-sharing laws, such as ITAR, which currently may potentially slow innovation and joint development (although essential to minimise FPV drone and components exports). Cybersecurity threats from rising adversarial states, e.g. China, pose risks to research. Divergent industrial policies and defence procurement strategies also challenge mutual cooperation. Our discussion explored how AUKUS technological innovation and wider alliances may provide such strategic cooperation.

“Space has become a crucial domain for civilian and defence purposes, with growing importance in LEO satellites to ensure secure, real-time military, and civilian communications.”

Chris adds, “Rising geopolitical tensions have transformed space into an increasingly contested environment, driving defence organisations to enhance communication, navigation, and surveillance, capabilities.

“To maintain security and strategic advantage, governments have urgent requirement to develop clear policies, strength organisational structures, and foster collaboration with both private industry and international allies. Recent UK government investment of a modest £20 million in Orbek, signals a clear intent for sovereign space launch capabilities, whilst SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, on a larger scale also benefits from US governmental support.

“In Europe, Helsing and Loft Orbital announced a strategic partnership to deploy an AI-driven multi-sensor satellite constellation to support border surveillance, troop movement tracking and infrastructure protection, enhancing European forces’ situational awareness and rapid decision-making capabilities. Expansion of private space companies has created opportunities and challenges with the intent to provide a streamlined, faster, and more reliable means of deploying LEO missions.  We explored the intersection of AUKUS Pillar II and space technologies, in an attempt to address the challenges, innovations and strategies for enhancing security, resilience and interoperability, inherent in space-based defence systems.”  

For further discussion, please contact Chris at Clavers@lincoln.ac.uk.

Story submitted by Chris Lavers
clavers@lincoln.ac.uk