back to article MoD flings £800m at Dragons' Den miltech startup wheeze as post-Brexit costs bite

The Ministry of Defence is making £800m available for a Dragons' Den-style miltech startup funding panel – even as civil servants struggle to balance the books after the Brexit vote. The Royal United Services Institute think tank says that the MoD could face extra costs of up to £700m – which is based on the assumption that …

  1. P. Lee
    Joke

    Hahaha!

    Brexit costs calculated based on currency exchange rate trends not changing for two years!

    Apart from that assumption being hilarious, perhaps not buying killtech would be a good option.

    1. Martin 47

      Re: Hahaha!

      Actually no, it's based on the assumption that the exchange rate will continue to fall steadily for the next two years, wish I had that crystal ball.

  2. tony2heads
    Terminator

    futuristic

    Phased plasma rifle in the 40W range

    1. seven of five

      Re: futuristic

      only what you see, pal...

  3. Dave 126

    Details here:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/innovation-initiative-to-bring-future-tech-and-ideas-to-the-armed-forces

    The 'VR Helmet' mentioned in the article is actually an AR (augmented reality) helmet for training exercises - infantry in a real field can see - and respond to - simulated tanks and aircaft etc.

    1. allthecoolshortnamesweretaken

      Re: Details here:

      That'd make a change from the old cardboard pop-ups..

    2. David Lewis 2
      Go

      Re: Details here:

      "... infantry in a real field can see - and respond to - simulated tanks and aircraft etc."

      So that's MILSPEC Pokemon Go then?

      1. Prst. V.Jeltz Silver badge

        Re: Details here:

        and respond to - simulated tanks

        that kinda leaves them open to hacking - the enemy could break in , and overwhelm the soldiers with as many pretend tanks as necessary for them to poo their pants.

  4. codejunky Silver badge

    Hmm

    Could be good news if decent tech can be developed. Useful for our military and for our allies. Hopefully not a waste of money but we will only know by trying.

  5. amanfromMars 1 Silver badge

    New Cyber Age Field Terrorism

    One imagines that a competent future military command and special forces control would easily be able to ensure and assure and insure all necessary funding from whatever public and/or private body it chose to approach and/or terrify with its cutting edge, novel technology.

    The current obvious impotence in that department of the MOD suggests there be both a catastrophic lack of commanding leadership and controlling intelligence in both the enlisted professional classical soldiering warrior type and sub contracting materiel supply personnel in the civil sector.

    That does present a fantastic opportunity for players in such fields of endeavour though

  6. Baldy50

    Better spent on?

    Essential equipment like boots that fit, body amour and better armoured vehicles.

    1. Chris G

      Re: Better spent on?

      Good mine and EOD equipment, not a silly box that does nothing.

      I have here a tried and tested (over centuries) hazel twig here, for only £20.000 a pop.

  7. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Hmmmmm....

    "futuristic technology that along with other smart solutions are set to be backed by the government’s new defence innovation initiative"

    As opposed to DUMB solutions? Well, its not quite buzzword bingo, but this kind of statement doesn't really inspire confidence.

  8. Roj Blake Silver badge

    Could be Worse...

    ...they could do what they usually do and just give the money to BAe

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