The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have agreed on a memorandum of understanding under which the company will support the Digital Skills for Defence programme over the next three years.
It will deliver digital skills development and training to personnel in the armed forces and the wider supply chain, in line with a number of initiatives within the programme.
The agreement has been described as the first of its kind globally, with the work taking place as part of a wider UK Government programme with AWS to boost digital skills.
It will involve the provision of training resources across defence, in particular supporting the Digital Foundry, a federated ecosystem of digital innovators and developers led by Defence Digital which is harnessing emerging technology.
There will also be a tailored programme of attachments for senior leaders of the MoD’s digital transformation.
Emerging threats
Laurence Lee, second permanent secretary at the MOD, said: “It is crucial we keep defence personnel at the forefront of digital skills as we’re faced with emerging threats in an ever-changing battlespace. The speed of digital change cannot be underestimated, and the Digital Skills for Defence programme will help us match global competitors.
“This agreement with AWS exemplifies our focus on harnessing cutting edge ways of working within defence, drawing on the expertise of the public and private sectors, and we’re excited at the new opportunities for skills development this presents.
Charles Forte, chief information officer at the MoD, said: “Amazon’s agreement to build upon and scale up our work within the Digital Skills for Defence programme is a crucial priority that will help us realise digital transformation across defence.
“It serves as an important symbol of how we must deepen our work with the tech sector to realise our objectives. We are grateful for this commitment and look forward to developing this partnership with AWS and other companies and organisations across the sector.”
