The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a major user of science and technology. The Secretary of State for Defence is responsible ultimately for all elements of Defence and is supported in this role by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, the Minister of State for Strategic Defence Acquisition and Reform, the Minister of State for International Defence and Security, the Under Secretary and Minister for Defence Equipment and Support and the Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans.

The Minister of State for Strategic Defence Acquisition Reform has responsibility for Defence Science and Technology including the Defence Technology Strategy.

The Ministers are supported in their role by the Chiefs of Staff and four Senior Defence Officials including the Chief Scientific Adviser for MOD. The CSA provides the Permanent Secretariat to support the Defence Scientific Advisory Council (DSAC) and one of his senior members of staff is the Executive Officer of DSAC.

The Secretariat is maintained by the Independent Scientific and Technical Advice (ISTA) office. The DSAC is a Non Departmental Public Body established to provide independent advice to the Secretary of Sate for Defence on maters of concern to the Ministry of Defence in the field of science, engineering and technology. The DSAC secretariat is maintained by the office for ISTA, which provides secretarial support for the Council and its subordinate bodies.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) at Porton Down is an agency of the MOD and exists to supply the very best, impartial, scientific and technical research and advice to the MOD and Other Government Departments.

MOD has also formed collaborative consortia with world-class expertise, to join with it in the creation of Defence Technology Centres (DTCs). There are currently four DTCs, funded jointly by participants and the MOD. The participants work together to generate and enhance the technology vital to the delivery of future UK Defence cababilities.

The Four Defence Technology Centres are:

• Systems Engineering for Autonomous Systems (SEAS)
• Electro Magnetic Remote Sensing (EMRS)
• Human Factors Integration (HFI)
• Data Information Fusion (DIF)