Military and Defence
Modernising military communications with secure cloud services
The UK military and defence sector faces significant challenges amid budget cuts and recruitment struggles, making modernization and effective communication crucial for maintaining operational capabilities.
The UK military and defence sector holds a prominent position nationally and internationally, employing approximately 198,000 personnel (2021) and operating from multiple military bases across the UK and the wider world. Despite a budget of £41.5 billion in 2021, the sector faces challenges due to budget cuts and recruitment issues, which is having a significant effect on the UK defence sector across land, sea and air operations.
Cutting costs, improving performance, and increasing security is mission critical for the UK armed forces. Airacom offers valuable solutions by updating costly maintenance driven legacy systems with unified communications as a service (UCaaS) technology, connecting military bases with fast fibre and dedicated connectivity services. Our secure push-to-talk group communications platform with advanced command and dispatch software streamlines collaboration and decision-making, ensuring effective and secure communication within the UK armed forces and its partners.
military and defence Challenges
Health and Safety:
The UK military and defence sector faces health and safety challenges, with an estimated 2,200 non-fatal injuries occurring annually among UK armed forces personnel (MoD, 2020). Key concerns include mental health issues (29.4% of cases), musculoskeletal disorders (22.3%), and training accidents (18.1%). Addressing these challenges requires investment in training, equipment, and support services to ensure the well-being of personnel and maintain operational readiness. Airacom’s rugged enterprise mobility devices ensure the durability and reliability needed in harsh military environments, improving health and safety when combined with SaaS software as a service.
Communication
The UK military and defence sector encounters communication and collaboration challenges due to the diverse and complex nature of operations. Interoperability issues between different branches and international partners can hinder information sharing and decision-making. A 2019 National Audit Office report highlighted the need to invest in modern communication systems to improve efficiency and maintain the UK’s defence capabilities. Airacom’s secure push-to-talk and command and dispatch software facilitate seamless communication and collaboration between military branches and international partners, enhancing operational efficiency.
Technology:
Outdated technology and legacy systems pose challenges in the UK military and defence sector, affecting operational efficiency and interoperability. The Ministry of Defence’s 2021 Integrated Review highlighted the need to invest £6.6 billion in research and development to modernise defence technology. Phasing out outdated systems and embracing innovative solutions will be critical to maintaining the UK’s military capabilities in the future. By implementing Airacom’s cloud phone systems and UCaaS, the UK military and defence sector can modernise and streamline communication infrastructure, overcoming legacy system challenges.
Security:
Cybersecurity is a significant concern for the UK military and defence sector. According to the NCSC, there were 658 cyber incidents targeting the defence sector in 2020. Protecting sensitive information and systems from cyber threats requires ongoing investment in advanced security measures, comprehensive training, and close collaboration with international partners to enhance the resilience of the UK’s defence infrastructure. Airacom’s mobile threat defence solutions protect sensitive military information, enhancing cybersecurity measures and safeguarding the UK’s defence infrastructure from cyber threats.
Mission critical communications
Mission critical push to talk communications for tactical operations
Airacom Push-to-Talk (PTT) with PTT Dispatch and Command Console solutions provide military and defence forces with instantaneous, secure communication, enhancing collaboration and decision-making in critical situations while maintaining operational security.
Powering military bases with high-speed broadband for seamless operations
Updating legacy business phone systems and adopting cloud-hosted technology with UCaaS is essential for military and defence departments to deliver robust, secure services at a lower cost. Cloud-based solutions offer increased flexibility, scalability, and streamlined communication, enabling improved decision-making and collaboration.
UCaaS also provides enhanced security measures, such as encryption and data protection, ensuring sensitive information remains confidential. By reducing the reliance on outdated infrastructure and embracing innovative solutions, military and defence departments can benefit from cost savings and increased operational efficiency.
military Enterprise mobility
Shifting to cloud and modernising military bases
Updating legacy business phone systems and adopting cloud-hosted technology with UCaaS is crucial for military bases to deliver robust, secure services at a lower cost. Cloud-based solutions provide increased flexibility, scalability, and streamlined communication, enabling better decision-making and collaboration.
UCaaS also offers advanced security measures, including encryption and data protection, ensuring sensitive military information remains confidential. By reducing reliance on outdated infrastructure and embracing innovative solutions, military bases can benefit from cost savings, enhanced security, and increased operational efficiency.
Microsoft Teams Direct Routing
Horizon Collaborate UCaaS Platform
Rugged devices are essential tools for military and defence operations
Military and defence forces utilise rugged smartphones and tablets across various departments due to their durability and reliability in harsh environments. Rugged devices offer enhanced resistance to water, dust, and extreme temperatures, ensuring uninterrupted communication and data access in challenging conditions. With longer battery life and built-in security features, these devices support mission-critical operations, facilitating efficient decision-making and collaboration.
Airacom provides enterprise mobility services that include rugged devices tailored to the unique requirements of military and defence departments, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance.
Guarding the frontline, mobile threat detection for military and defence
Mobile threat defence is critical for military-issued smartphones to protect sensitive data and maintain the confidentiality of mission-critical information. With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats targeting mobile devices, implementing advanced security measures helps prevent unauthorised access, data leaks, and malware infections.
Mobile threat defence solutions also monitor and detect potential risks, ensuring prompt response and mitigation. By safeguarding military smartphones, mobile threat defence plays a vital role in preserving operational integrity and maintaining national security.
Explore Managed Security Services
military Workforce management
Securing your military fleet and monitoring driver behaviour
The need for advanced telematics in defence and military vehicle fleet tracking is crucial with real-time monitoring of vehicle location, performance, and driver behaviour, ensuring efficient resource management and rapid response.
It also aids in maintaining security and operational readiness by reducing unauthorised vehicle use, improving maintenance scheduling, and enhancing fuel efficiency. Furthermore, advanced telematics supports the analysis of historical data, which can help optimise routes and minimize risks in critical missions.
Safeguarding military forces, the Importance of personnel tracking solutions
Personnel tracking is essential in defence and military organisations for several reasons. It ensures the safety and well-being of personnel, particularly those working in hazardous environments or operating alone. By providing real-time location data, personnel tracking enables swift response during emergencies and supports efficient coordination during missions.
Tracking solutions facilitate accountability, enhance situational awareness, and aid in resource allocation. Implementing personnel tracking systems ultimately contributes to overall operational efficiency, security, and the success of military objectives.
Business services for military and defence
Professional voice and data services for a digital armed services
Push to Talk
Replace two-way radios with Airacom APTT push to talk offering near-national coverage over any IP network.
Workforce Management
Enhance workforce management with location monitoring, geofence clock, clock out, incident reporting, and job allocation for staff.
Cloud VoIP
Reliable cloud-hosted phone systems to connect military bases and remote workforces with leading mission critical communications.
Connectivity
Get superfast business broadband to run your military bases, cloud applications and enterprise SD-WAN services.
Business Mobile
Improve site productivity with the right mix of rugged devices using a business-only 4G and 5G superfast network.
Business WiFi
Business WiFi packed with the security and flexibility your sites need, with built-in failover and redundancy.
Featured resources
Mobilise your workforce
Replace two-way radios with Airacom push to talk offering near national coverage over any IP network.
Connect your project site
Utilise IoTs and Sensors to gain real-time data analytics across your sites to make informed business decisions
Protect your team
Enhance workforce safety with location monitoring to better manage employees operating remotely or alone