**A New Battlefront: Resilient Supply Chains in Defence**
In an era of shifting geopolitical dynamics and rising defence spending, Western nations are confronting a critical challenge: how to ensure the resilience of their military supply chains. A recent study published in *Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies* by Thomas Ekström of the Swedish Defence University sheds light on this pressing issue, revealing both universal barriers and military-specific obstacles to achieving supply chain resilience (SCRES).
**The Return to Territorial Defence**
After decades of reduced budgets and expeditionary missions, Western militaries now find themselves refocusing on territorial defence. However, Ekström’s research highlights that Cold War-era solutions may not be sufficient to address today’s complexities. “The transformation of armed forces from expeditionary to territorial defence has increased reliance on lean commercial supply chains, which are inherently vulnerable to disruption,” says Ekström.
The study identifies three key barriers to SCRES in military settings:
1. Transformation-related barriers, tied to the shift in strategic focus.
2. Governance-related barriers, specific to military organisations.
3. Marketplace barriers, which are largely shared with commercial supply chains.
**Unique Challenges and Shared Solutions**
While many barriers mirror those in the private sector, military supply chains face additional complexities. These include the need for multinational coordination—a hallmark of NATO alliances—and the specialisation of national defence industries.
“Large, medium-sized, and small countries all face the same barriers when enhancing SCRES,” Ekström notes. This uniformity suggests that resilience strategies must be adaptable across different national contexts.
**What Lies Ahead for Defence and Industry?**
The findings have profound implications for both military planners and commercial partners, particularly in high-stakes sectors like energy. As defence supply chains become more integrated with civilian industries, understanding these barriers is essential for mitigating risks.
For example, the energy sector, which plays a pivotal role in military logistics, must align with these resilience strategies. This research underscores the need for cross-industry collaboration to develop robust, adaptable supply chains capable of withstanding disruptions.
As Ekström’s work suggests, the path forward lies not in revisiting outdated Cold War strategies, but in fostering innovation and cooperation—both within militaries and with their industrial partners. By doing so, Western nations can fortify their defences against both physical and logistical threats, ensuring readiness in an uncertain world.
*Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies* is the English translation of the original publication title.
