Predictions for the Year ahead in Defence in collaboration with UK Defence Innovation and DASA

With a turbulent 2025 in the rearview mirror, attendees joined us for a strategic look ahead at what could be in store for the defence sector in 2026.

With senior representatives from MoD, academia and our own Editor-in-Chief, attendees gained valuable insight into the year ahead.

This discussion was followed by a networking opportunity that helped set the tone for the year ahead and provided a forum to share perspectives with peers.

Moderator:

• Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, Co-founder (Strategy), Council on Geostrategy

Speakers:

• James Gavin, Deputy Director UKDI 

• Anita Friend, Deputy Director UKDI, Head of DASA 

• Olivia Savage, Editor-in-Chief, DSEI