Recommendation 21

There are risks attached to increasing collaboration with commercial partners who, traditionally, have not been involved in defence. The new Government will need to be alert to these risks and work to mitigate them. In particular, the Government should conduct careful risk assessments when deciding whether to allow private companies access to certain systems, such as sensitive communication and targeting systems. However, a proportionate approach should be taken in less sensitive areas, fostering collaboration with non-traditional partners by ensuring that bureaucratic burdens are kept as low as possible.