Across Europe and beyond, a subtle but serious shift is underway. In speeches, defence reviews, national security strategies, and increasingly the mainstream media, there’s a growing awareness of the importance of building greater resilience.
Read more: UK Strategic Defence Review 2025
Read more: UK National Security Strategy
The UK government is urging businesses and institutions to prepare for disruption, and in mid-June 2025 the BBC reported a growing recognition that “hostile activity on British soil” may target the systems we rely on every day.
National security today is not confined to the battlefield. It touches infrastructure, energy systems, health care, food supply chains, and digital networks. That makes procurement across both Government and the private sector central to national and organisational resilience.
Modern Threats Go Beyond the Battlefield
National security has evolved. While traditional or kinetic warfare involving weapons, troops, and physical combat remains a threat, hybrid tactics, are becoming an increasingly important focus. These are designed to destabilise without triggering outright war.
Read more: What the UK Defence Review means for supply chain risk.
Shutting down a power grid, spreading disinformation, or disrupting access to critical materials can be just as damaging as conventional attacks. In this context, everything from where food is grown to how pharmaceuticals are sourced becomes part of the national security equation.
Interdependence Creates Vulnerability
Globalisation has created vast, efficient, but highly interdependent, supply chains. Most developed nations no longer manufacture key components, chemicals, or technologies domestically. In times of crisis, whether pandemic, geopolitical shock, or cyberattack, these dependencies can become critical weak points.
Events over the last few years have shown how quickly disruption can cascade:
- PPE and medicine shortages during the pandemic
- Semiconductor supply constraints affecting defence and transport
- Rising food insecurity due to disrupted global logistics
Read more: Rethinking Healthcare Supply Chain Risk
Procurement’s Evolving Role in Resilience Strategy
Historically, procurement has focused on cost, efficiency, and availability, but today’s risks are demanding organisations apply a broader lens factoring in exposure to geopolitical shocks, single-source dependencies, and the ability to adapt under pressure.
Senior leaders across public and private sector should be asking their procurement heads:
- Which suppliers are essential to operational continuity?
- Where are we vulnerable to international disruption or coercion?
- Can we diversify or nearshore suppliers for greater control?
- Are we building long-term relationships with partners who share our resilience goals?
Strategic procurement means understanding supply chain risks, embedding resilience metrics into supplier assessments, and staying aligned with evolving government standards and expectations.
Procurement as a Strategic Asset
Defence strategies are already shifting in this direction. From the UK’s Integrated Review to NATO’s emphasis on supply chain resilience, governments are recognising that energy security, digital infrastructure, and industrial capabilities are all part of a nation’s defence posture.
Businesses have a role to play too, and it often starts with procurement. Yes, choosing the right suppliers, investing in transparency, and planning for disruption are commercial decisions, but they are also contributions to stability and preparedness.
Building Smarter, More Secure Supply Chains
Resilience is about being able to withstand shocks, adapt quickly, and maintain continuity. That means building smarter, more agile supply chains, where risk is understood, options exist, and strategic thinking is part of everyday operations.
In uncertain times, the procurement function should be recognised as a critical enabler of resilience, not just for organisations, but for the systems we all depend on. Achilles helps organisations gain visibility into their supply chains and identify hidden vulnerabilities before they become real-world risks. Talk to us about how your procurement function can become a driver of resilience.
