The shift in technological dominance and the adaption of open innovation by the defence sector

The shift in technological dominance from the defence sector to the civilian sector marks a transformative change in the landscape of innovation. Historically, the defence sector was the primary driver of groundbreaking technological advancements. However, the post-Cold War era has seen a reversal of this trend, as civilian-led advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, Cybertechnologies, and autonomous systems have outpaced defence sector innovation. This study explores the underlying causes of this shift, including the decline of interstate wars, the rise of startup culture, and the emergence of technology giants. It also examines the defence sector's adoption of open innovation strategies to leverage civilian technological advancements. This research demonstrates the critical role of open innovation in addressing the challenges of contemporary defence needs. The findings underscore the need for collaborative frameworks to bridge the gap between these sectors, ensuring technological superiority in an era defined by rapid civilian innovation.