Defence research: duel use or dual use technology?

Abstract

Changes in world order coupled with rapid developments in technology have encouraged many Governments to examine the relationship between defence research and civil applications. A traditional view is that defence research creates advanced technology which may subsequently spin-off for civil use. The address argues that this represents a one-sided view of the current scene. Many technologies relevant to defence now have major roles in civil use, where the civil technology base often dominates the market and future developments. The UK and many other countries are now encouraging increased collaboration between civil and defence research and the Dual Use Technologies Centres being established by the Defence Research Agency represent one such example. Increased alignment and collaboration between the civil and defence sectors leads to improved economic benefits with defence having at least as much to gain from civil spin-in and access to mature civil technology. Examples of a few projects with interesting dual use capabilities are discussed.