Defence logistics

The author reflects on the how the UK armed forces have contributed to the national need during the pandemic. Industrial pioneers', Jacob Thomas-Llewellyn and Vaughan Mitchell included aircraft attrition during the Battle of Britain, describing how Spitfire production was raised just enough to keep ahead of Germany. It is worth emphasising that production was also raised for the less glamorous, more numerous workhorse of the battle, the Hurricane. More, there is an echo in modern supply chains. Much is written about current-day supply chains also having a skills shortage. For Covid-19, CILT set up its database to redeploy resource where it is most needed. Technology will help so far, but there is still need more good people for the longer-term, wide-ranging challenges ahead.