Why do we exist?

The complexities of the modern day battlefield, the pressure on budgets and the increasingly sophisticated threats posed to our Armed Forces and Security Services has intensified the demand for the input of science and technology research and advice at all military and security levels.

Taking these concerns into account, Dstl sits within Government to provide essential, impartial, high quality, timely advice on science and technology issues. Our expertise enables our colleagues across Government and the UK Armed Forces to determine potential issues and threats. Our work also helps them to plan and supply effective counter measures and equipment to meet the demands of modern day war fighting and security issues.

Collaboration at the heart of MOD

Our unique position at the heart of the MOD means that our advice is trusted by Government, academia and industry on a national and international scale. With more than 3,500 staff dedicated to a spectrum of scientific and technical disciplines, we are geared for rapid problem solving. Multi-disciplinary, specialist teams tailored for each task, can be quickly assembled and have a proven ability to provide innovative solutions under time pressure.

We are the MOD's lead for the majority of its international research collaboration programmes, achieving significant mutual benefit to science and technology research and its applications. We are proactive in building relationships with organisations and countries where there is a close alignment with the UK's strategic technical priorities.
Our aim is to build on these links and encourage people to work with us, forming networks of knowledge that stretches around the globe.