TL;DR:

• Defence AI Centre launches secure platform for testing up to 100 AI models simultaneously
• Evaluates models across performance, reliability, robustness, and security against Defence requirements
• Aims to reduce procurement timelines whilst maintaining strategic advantage

The UK Ministry of Defence has launched the AI Model Arena, a vendor-neutral evaluation platform designed to accelerate how Defence assesses and procures artificial intelligence technologies.

Platform Capabilities

Developed in partnership with UK AI company Advai, the secure platform enables suppliers to test and demonstrate their models against Defence use cases. The system can simultaneously assess up to 100 models, providing constructive feedback to help suppliers iterate their solutions whilst significantly reducing evaluation timelines.

The platform evaluates submissions across four critical categories: performance, reliability, robustness, and security. Assessments are based on Defence-specific requirements such as JSP 936, with successful models progressing through a down-selection process into the Defence Tech Scaler and innovation pathways.

Addressing Procurement Bottlenecks

The initiative builds upon previous work by the Royal Navy in partnership with Advai and the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE), where the Ministry of Defence first conducted independent side-by-side testing of AI models from multiple suppliers.

Commodore Rachel Singleton, Head of the Defence AI Centre, stated: “This initiative is central to our ambition to adopt AI responsibly and at pace, ensuring we maintain a strategic advantage in an increasingly competitive landscape.”

Looking Forward

The platform supports the ambitions outlined in Action 43 of the AI Opportunities Plan (2025), automating evaluation against Defence benchmarks to deliver insights comparable to intensive review techniques but with significantly shorter timescales.

The vendor-neutral approach creates a level playing field for industry and enables growth of UK small and medium-sized enterprises by identifying where they hold competitive advantages. This supports development of a stronger sovereign AI ecosystem whilst ensuring warfighters access the most advanced AI solutions.

The Defence AI Centre aims for the Model Arena to be operational by DAIC Connect 2026 in March.

Source: Gov.uk