His comments recognise that dual-use technologies, developed initially for commercial purposes, have redefined the battlespace in Ukraine.

 

Ukraine has shown the world that dual-use technologies are “redefining the battlespace”, from SpaceX’s Starlink to off-the-shelf drones, Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Sir Tom Copinger-Symes the Deputy Commander of UK Strategic Command (StratCom) announced at DSEI Japan 2025.

Nevertheless, it has also highlighted that dual-use technology can bring certain strategic vulnerabilities, he acknowledged.

“It highlights a worrying reality with commercially supplied dual-use technology”, whereby companies have the power to “turn off a capability”.

Dual-use solutions – usually from non-traditional defense suppliers – are usually praised for their innovation and transformative potential, however, Lt Gen Copinger-Symes’ comments recognise that downsides also exist.

Despite these vulnerabilities, he did acknowledge that the commercial sector is driving technological innovation.

“For decades, government and militaries drove technological innovations, but that’s flipped on its head”.

This requires a new type of relationship with industry: “We must move beyond transactional relationships between defense and industry… We need to redraw the boundaries of national security”, this includes with industry partners, the education sector, and other stakeholders, he said.

Lt Gen Copinger-Symes also dismissed current defense procurement cycles, noting that some solutions are obsolete by the time they are introduced.

“We've got to change that by breaking down barriers between sectors. This means being more open, more trusting, being clear with what our problems are, not stating our solution”.

Further to his comments on dual-use innovation, Lt Gen Copinger-Symes said that “there's a kind of alchemy and magic that happens when operators and engineers work side by side. That will almost certainly mean moving scientists, engineers and analysts closer to the frontlines, or indeed in cyber the virtual frontline”.

 

A deteriorating global security context

In a stark assessment of today’s global context, Lt Gen Copinger-Symes said that “the threats we now face are more serious and less predictable than ever before”.

“We now live in what we could describe as a state of persistent competition, punctuated by episodic crises, and under the constant shadow of potential major conflict”, he added.

He concluded by calling for greater international collaboration, stating that “we fight together, we must innovate together, or we will lose together”. 

 

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Author: Benjamin Howe, Journalist, Clarion Defence & Security