07 October 2025 – 21 Engineer Regiment and the Royal Engineer Historical Society MILENG Conference

How war stimulates innovation in military engineering

 Joint 8 Engr Bde and REHS Military Engineering Conference

7 October 2025

Hosted by 21 Engr Regt at the Training Wing, Claro Barracks, Ripon

Accommodation:

There is very limited accommodation available at Claro Barracks. For those requiring accommodation, it is advised to book at The Ripon Inn (Park St, Ripon, HG4 2BU), which is a 15-minute walk from Claro Barracks.

Attendance:

Please confirm if you would like to attend by using the QR Code and Forms link below, whether in person or online (via the Teams link below). We have capacity for approximately 100 guests in person. Capt James Manson (21 Engineer Regiment, Ops Officer) will coordinate the attendance list once we have an idea of numbers. If you are planning to attend in person, you must complete the MS Forms attendance tracker below.

Deadline:

All returns should be submitted by Friday, 19 September 2025.

The day will be divided into four separate panels:

Panel 1: Delivered by the REHS, focusing on Military Engineering Innovation in War: A Campaign Perspective.

Panel 2: Delivered by the REHS, focusing on Military Engineering Innovation in War: A Capability Perspective.

Panel 3: Delivered by 8 Engineer Brigade, focusing on current capability gaps, lessons, and opportunities.

Panel 4: Delivered by Industry Partners, focusing on Military Engineering Innovation in Industry.

Preamble

We are in a period of pre-war preparation.  The proximity in time and space of a Russian threat to the UK, the ongoing war in Ukraine and other threats to our national security mean that innovation is urgently required to deliver the military engineering component of the increased “lethality” required for Land Forces.  This has been directed by CGS (double lethality by 2027 and treble by 2030), and more recently set out in SDR:  “an Army that is 10X more lethal”.  Prior conflicts have stimulated considerable innovation in military engineering, from the development of fortification in medieval warfare to real time communications with the development of telegraphy in Crimea.  Industrial and technical revolutions have also spurred innovation in military engineering, and today’s digital revolution may have a similar effect.

Military Engineers have a strong record of innovation in warfare and of adapting emerging technology to increase fighting power.  This Conference will explore some of the historical innovations in military engineering and identify the conditions that led to successful exploitation of these innovations into war winning capability, drawing observations of relevance for today.  This will be followed by consideration of the current military engineering challenges facing the Corps, experiences from current conflicts, and a perspective from industry, highlighting the opportunities for the Corps to innovate for future capability.

Historical Themes

The historical perspective will consider a selection of military engineering innovations, identifying the impacts on capability including:

• Surveying and Geo, Engineer Recce
• Fortifications and protection,
• Mobility and countermobility,
• Logistic engineering and LoC,
• Military Infrastructure,
• Deception and surveillance

The historical review will consider the culture, conditions and obstructions of the time that were overcome to enable innovation to be successfully exploited.  Observations with relevance to today will include:

• The immediacy of war as a stimulant for innovation
• The characteristics of military engineers who led the innovation; their professional skills and vision
• The impact of emerging technologies and industry on military engineering innovation
• The role of Army (and Defence) culture and leadership in promoting innovation

Draft Conference Programme

0830-0900	Registration
0900-0915	Welcome and introduction Comd 8 Engr Bde Chair REHS – Maj Gen (Retd) Carew Wilks CB CBE
0915-1030	Panel 1 (REHS) Military Engineering Innovation in War A Campaign Perspective Crimean War – Maj Gen (Retd) Mungo Melvin CB OBE American Civil War – Maj Gen (Retd) John Drewienkiewicz CB CMG World War One (A Revolution in Military Affairs) – Col (Retd) Glyn Taylor OBE
1030-1100	Coffee Break
1100-1230	Panel 2 (REHS) Military Engineering Innovation in War A Capability Perspective Military Survey and Geospatial Intelligence – Christopher Nash, Chair Defence Surveyors Association Obstacle Crossing in WW1 and the Tank – Maj Gen (Retd) Mungo Melvin CB OBE REHS Plenary
1230-1330	Lunch Display – War Winning Engineering (RE Museum) Display – WW1 RE Innovation (Will MacGill)
1330-1445	Panel 3 (8 Engr Bde) – current capability gaps, lessons and opportunities Col J Wilson AComd 8 Engr Bde Col Alex Harris Dep Hd Plans NCGI
1445-1515	Break
1515-1630	Panel 4 (Industry) – military engineering innovation in industry  Lt Col Chris Farrelly RE SO1 Manoeuvre Support D Futures
1630-1645	Closing address

 Static display of current equipment by 21 Engr Regt

 

Booking QR Code

For online attendance please follow the Teams link below.

 

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 324 682 883 862 2

Passcode: Gy32Qt9d

Attendance Tracker