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Completed Research: Defence and Security

Economy and national security in the Netherlands
14 Jan 2020
Researchers developed insights into the relationships between the economy and national security, focusing in particular on the characteristics and performance of the economy of the Netherlands and the consequences this may have for its national security.
Collaborative investment in military multirole helicopters can save money
22 Jul 2019
Researchers identified four areas of potential savings that could result from cooperation among European Defence Agency member states in developing, acquiring, operating, and supporting light-weight and medium-weight multirole helicopter programmes.
Opportunities for collaborative armoured vehicle investment
23 Jan 2019
The European Defence Agency noticed an opportunity to align their member states' armoured vehicle fleet procurement and development programmes and plans. Researchers identified five potential collaboration models that could offer financial, operational, and strategic benefits compared to purely national efforts.
Violent Extremism Evaluation Measurement (VEEM) Framework
14 Jan 2019
A key challenge in counter violent extremism evaluation is the lack of commonly agreed metrics to measure behavioural changes in people. RAND Europe researchers developed a web-based framework that lists behavioural categories, attributes, and suggested measurement tools.
Updating the Study on the Development of a European Cyber Defence Centre
21 Dec 2018
An update to the study on an EU Cyber Defence Centre for Common Security & Defence Policy crisis management operations helped inform a number of work and policy initiatives and contributed to the launch of the cyber education, training, exercise and evaluation platform at the European Security and Defence College.
The economics of vulnerability disclosure
19 Dec 2018
Because economic incentives play a key role in whether users, vendors, finders and coordinators disclose hardware and software vulnerabilities once they have been discovered, governments should adopt a coordinated vulnerability disclosure policy.
Social media in Africa presents double-edged sword
05 Nov 2018
The spread of social media in Africa has brought many economic and political benefits, while also equipping terrorist groups with a tool for recruitment and propaganda. Researchers examined the links between social media use and online radicalisation in six African countries, drawing on primary Twitter data analysis.
How to evaluate counterterrorism policies and interventions
25 Oct 2018
Initiatives to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism are rarely evaluated and are often designed on the basis of untested assumptions. Researchers developed and reviewed an inventory of 48 evaluations conducted between 2013 and 2017 to draw practical lessons and recommendations.
Ensuring key skills and competences for defence in the governmental domain
17 Aug 2018
To help the EDA maintain key skills and competences across the defence sector, RAND Europe developed a taxonomy of skills in the governmental domain required for a functioning defence procurement system. The researchers also assessed the current demand and supply for those skills across Europe.
Toolbox aims to support cybersecurity capacity building
02 Aug 2018
Using the GCSCC’s Cyber Security Capacity Maturity Model, researchers developed a proof-of-concept toolbox that presents guidelines and approaches for government officials and cybersecurity practitioners interested in cybersecurity capacity building.
Exploring Europe's defence capability requirements for 2035 and beyond
06 Jul 2018
A multi-disciplinary study on behalf of the European Defence Agency found the need for conventional weapons systems will persist and the need for cyberspace capabilities will increase. Also, more coordination of existing R&D programmes is needed across the various EDA member states.
How resilience affects the transition experiences of UK Service leavers
28 Jun 2018
Most UK Service leavers experience successful transitions to civilian life, but some face challenges. Our researchers looked into the role of resilience in successful transitions.
The future of Arctic cooperation in a changing strategic environment
08 Jun 2018
A table-top exercise examined factors that could potentially upset Arctic cooperation in the coming decade. While there is potential for tensions to rise if nations in the Arctic region make claims on disputed resources, the exercise found that they are more likely to respect established international norms than attempt to circumvent them.
The cost of terrorism in Europe
06 Jun 2018
Terrorism is negatively associated with economic growth in Europe. Between 2004 and 2016, the 28 EU member states lost around €180 billion in GDP terms due to terrorist attacks, in addition to the human toll through loss-of-life and injuries.
Challenges and Opportunities for Operationalising Border Security Research
26 Mar 2018
RAND Europe examined how border security research is set up, managed and operationalised in the EU, US, Canada and Australia in order to understand how these processes could be improved in the EU.
Dark web enables illegal arms trade in Europe
20 Jul 2017
The dark web is an enabler for the circulation of illegal weapons already on the black market, as well as a potential source of diversion for legally owned weapons. Although the arms trade is small in volume compared to other products trafficked online, its potential impact on international security is significant.
Providing Medical Support to Light Footprint Operations
09 Jun 2017
Within the European Common Security and Defence Policy context, many challenges preclude providing effective medical support to Light Footprint Operations. Improving standards for greater interoperability is one of many recommendations.
What works in tackling violent radicalisation and extremism?
25 May 2017
Violent radicalisation and extremism are one of the most severe and immediate security threats facing European society in the early 21st century. IMPACT Europe aimed to fill the gap in understanding of what works in tackling and preventing these phenomena.
Defence Equipment Cost Escalation Requires Response Strategies
08 Mar 2017
The challenge of affordability is shaping the defence acquisition environment in most Western countries. Researchers identified several strategies that are transferrable from one country to another and from civil sectors to defence.
Defence and Security after Brexit
06 Mar 2017
Brexit may pose more immediate challenges to UK and European security rather than to defence. However, both are likely to be subject to long-term uncertainty.
Mediterranean Foresight Forum
26 Jan 2017
The Mediterranean Foresight Forum (MFF) was a RAND-funded effort to monitor current affairs, analyse future scenarios and simulate policy options to support the implementation of comprehensive responses to complex challenges in the Mediterranean region.
Focus on Cybersecurity
04 Jan 2017
Cybersecurity has risen to become a prominent issue of national and global security for governments and international organisations worldwide. This paper looks at the issues and details RAND Europe's expertise and work in the area.
How to Achieve a Globalised Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
28 Oct 2016
The challenges identified in South and Southeast Asian countries in relation to ATT accession or ratification are predominantly issues at the ‘system level’, rather than specific capability or capacity gaps. Solving them requires a process-oriented approach, which has to be contextualised at the national level to ensure validity and sustainability.
Understanding the Moral Dimension of Conflict
24 Oct 2016
Cyber and autonomous capabilities challenge the core principles of morality frameworks in a number of ways. While a prominent question in the public debate is whether morality can be reduced to an algorithm, the body of academic work on the subject is more nuanced
Examining Perceptions of the US, NATO, and European Security
21 Oct 2016
RAND Europe conducted an examination of European NATO member states' perceptions of the role of NATO and threats to the Alliance, as well as NATO capabilities. The goal was to help shape expectations about the Alliance, its role and capabilities.

Our Experts

Jon Freeman

Research Group Director, Defense, Security and Infrastructure, RAND Europe

Jon Freeman is the research group director for RAND Europe's Defence, Security and Infrastructure group, which provides detailed analysis and considered recommendations to support public policy decision-makers in the UK and Europe.
Hans Pung

President, RAND Europe

Hans Pung is president of RAND Europe, a not-for-profit public policy research organisation that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. With offices in Cambridge (UK), and Brussels (BE), RAND's staff undertakes empirical studies for public, private, and third…
Kate Cox

Senior Analyst

Kate Cox is a senior analyst at RAND Europe. Her professional experience spans a range of defence and security areas including radicalisation, counterterrorism, border security, defence innovation and military personnel. This work has helped inform senior decision making in the UK government…