What did we learn about intelligence and defence technology at DSEI UK 2025?
For this episode, we took the show on the road - to DSEI UK 2025, 'the flagship defence event for the UK' which is a global platform for the entire defence industry. This year saw an expanded Tech Zone that gave us several indicators of how defence tech is developing, particularly driven by current wars in Ukraine and elsewhere. We took the opportunity of having thousands of interesting people in the same place to talk to a selection of expert guests: Clay Hicks from Zignal Labs, Enrique Oti from Second Front Systems, Tony Reeves from Maiar, and Neil Sinclair, spokesperson for DSEI.
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37:30
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37:30
What are the key trends in defence technology?
Ahead of the DSEI 2025 show, we talk to retired Rear Admiral Jon Pentreath, currently a Senior Military Advisor to DSEI, about the key trends in defence technology. In particular, we discuss innovative adoption of hardware and software solutions from non-traditional suppliers and what that means for military end-users. The trends are signified at DSEI by the Tech Zone being the fastest growing sector, with over 100 companies signed up. The range of companies involved also demonstrates how innovation in defence technology is happening outside the traditional defence sector, especially with increased involvement from SMEs.
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45:25
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45:25
What is the UK doing to prepare for the next war?
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) signals a significant shift in defence posture, with the aim of gearing the UK’s military to be ready to fight a war - perhaps the next ‘World War’ - against a near-peer adversary. The SDR provides an insight into how the UK aims to reshape the military, particularly in light of a stated increase in overall defence spending, and how it will position itself in relation to NATO and other allies. The strategy is to pivot towards an “Integrated Force”, with “constant innovation”, while encouraging a “whole of society” approach. In a world of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, what does this tell us about the military capabilities that are needed to face current and future threats and challenges? On this episode, Matt Lane, a founder of 325X, a venture studio specialising in defence and cyber, addresses this question and gives his perspective on the UK’s SDR and what it means for the defence tech sector.
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59:54
How is AI hampering critical thinking in intelligence?
As AI tools become more commonplace in all types of knowledge work, including intelligence, they create benefits, but also risks. Nico Dekens (@dutchosintguy), an expert in open source intelligence and investigations has written about how AI tools are affecting critical thinking and analytical abilities. In this episode, we talk to Nico about his experiences in using AI tools and his recommendations for mitigating the potential risks of the unknown and the ‘black box’ character of AI.
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1:04:38
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1:04:38
Why is investigating corruption vital for global security?
How did an NGO going undercover help to bring down the brutal Khmer Rouge? And how did they go on to uncover corporate complicity in producing blood diamonds? And, more recently, how did they use commercially available data to identify the companies supplying jet fuel to the Russian planes that bombed civilians in Ukraine? In this episode of Sensing the Signal, we talk to Patrick Alley, a founder of Global Witness, who spent three decades investigating corruption and catching Very Bad People at the nexus of war, environmental crimes, and human rights abuses. We discuss how corruption underpins many of the world's conflicts and security problems.
Sensing the Signal is a bi-weekly podcast produced by Atreides. In conversations with expert practitioners, we discuss the overlap between data, technology, intelligence, and national security and what it all means for analysts everywhere. How do we know AI is trustworthy? Can battlefield debris hunt down weapon transfers? How is technology transforming national intelligence? Find out answers to these questions and more from leaders in the field.
UK