Strategic Continuity in National Defence Innovation Policy: A Key to Long-Term Success
Strategic Continuity in National Defence Innovation Policy: A Key to Long-Term Success

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the role of strategic continuity in national defence innovation policy as a determinant of long-term technological and military success. Drawing on frameworks such as innovation ecosystems, national innovation systems, and the entrepreneurial state, the study analyses structural and institutional conditions that enable or hinder the transformation of R&D into operational capabilities. The case of Poland serves as the primary empirical reference, with particular focus on two long-term programmes – Iryda and PZA LOARA – supported by comparative insights from EU and NATO sources. The analysis highlights the negative effects of fragmented responsibilities, funding gaps, and insufficient mechanisms for managing transition phases, particularly between Technology Readiness Levels 6 and 7. The study calls for a systemic approach that integrates capability planning, R&D priorities, and innovation financing. It also underscores the importance of supranational instruments such as the European Defence Fund and mission-oriented public investment. The findings confirm that innovation success in the defence sector depends not only on scientific excellence or funding, but also on long-term institutional alignment. Key recommendations include improving the coordination of national smart specialisations with defence objectives, introducing performance-based incentives, and strengthening public-private collaboration to overcome inertia and build sovereign capability.

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