Hacia las nuevas tendencias tecnológicas de defensa en Fuerzas Armadas del Ecuador

Abstract

Research, technological development, innovation and production (R&D&i&P), constitute fundamental areas for the Defense sector of a country, since they allow: (i) to reduce both technological gap and exogenous dependence, (ii) to innovate military technology according to the operational requirements, and (iii) to guarantee technological superiority that lets maintaining dominance in conflicts and defending national sovereignty and integrity. Therefore, having a solid R&D&i&P system as part of the Armed Forces of Ecuador is definitely essential as it would likely allow guiding all efforts towards areas of knowledge and specific research lines in accordance with the institutional needs and requirements. Unfortunately, due to some reasons that are accurately explained throughout this study, the referred system is incipient and still very limited in the Armed Forces, hence, this study aims to partially contribute to the solution of the problem by proposing technology trends, in terms of areas of knowledge (13) and research lines (47), on which R&D&i&P performers and projects should be focused as a priority. Specifically, the proposed areas of knowledge and research lines were technically determined by conducting an extensive literature review as well as by deductive, quantitative and prospective analyses of tech trends corresponding to 16 representative Armed Forces at global, regional and local levels. The acquired results are relevant as they allow to strengthen the R&D&i&P system of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces, as well as to adequately guide the efforts of the actors and the limited resources assigned, towards the fulfilment of the operational and technological requirements, and their consequent consolidation of military capabilities.