Five Eyes science and technology (FVEY S&T) is a group of nations that work together on defence and security research. These nations have been collaborating for almost 70 years
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- UK
- US
Over 2,000 scientists from these 5 nations contribute to hundreds of activities that help improve operational and non-operational capabilities. They include some of the following
- analysis
- research
- development
- testing
- prototyping
- demonstration
- experimentation
Each nation is represented by a principal who provides strategic vision, goals, and broad direction. The UK Principal is Professor Tim Dafforn, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
What Dstl does
Dstl’s role in FVEY is crucial to the success of the collaboration. Dstl staff fill the majority of the UK governance roles within the groups and technical panels, and Dstl-led projects set out how the UK delivers its contribution.
International impact through collaboration
Hosting the FVEY S&T Principals meeting
Dstl hosted the annual FVEY S&T Principals meeting in September 2025, welcoming nearly 40 delegates to Portsdown West.
This was the only opportunity that year for all of the National Principals (MOD CSA and equivalents), their Deputies, Executive Officers and the Executive Chairs for the S&T Groups to come together.
They came together to review progress, agree new strategic directions, and carry out deep dive workshops – innovating collectively to generate new S&T approaches where we can collaboratively advance the art of the possible to tackle defence’s pressing problems.
Dstl hosts our allies for experiments, trials and training, and helps maintain the skills and capabilities needed to support FVEY S&T now and in the future.