Short stories inspiring defence and national security thinking

Homeland February 5, 2026

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has unveiled Creative Futures, a new collection of science fiction stories designed to spark fresh thinking about the future of defence and security over the next 100 years. Edited by Dr Allen Stroud of Coventry University, Creative Futures brings together leading science fiction authors who worked alongside defence experts to imagine future scenarios stretching as far as 2122. These stories explore how emerging technologies, societal shifts, and global challenges might shape the world beyond this century.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has introduced ‘Creative Futures,’ a strategic foresight initiative comprised of a collection of science fiction narratives designed to inform UK defence and national security planning over the next century.

Edited by Dr Allen Stroud of Coventry University, the project integrates the insights of leading science fiction authors with the technical expertise of defence specialists to project potential security scenarios as far as the year 2122. This initiative reflects a broader shift within the Ministry of Defence (MOD) toward using non-traditional analytical methods to anticipate and mitigate ‘strategic surprise’ – the risk of being unprepared for rapid technological or geopolitical shifts.

The narratives focus on critical emerging domains, including the deployment of autonomous combat systems, the predictive capabilities of quantum technology, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in life-critical decision-making. According to Professor Tim Dafforn, MOD Chief Scientific Adviser, the purpose of the project is to understand the context in which technology will be utilised rather than merely focusing on the hardware itself. For businesses and contractors within the defence supply chain, this signal highlights a growing MOD requirement for systems that are not only technologically advanced but also adaptable to complex, contested, and unpredictable operational environments.

A central component of ‘Creative Futures’ is a comprehensive timeline stretching into the 22nd century, informed by academic, commercial, and governmental research. This projection encompasses several socio-economic and technological milestones, such as the implementation of universal basic income, the emergence of commercial quantum networks, and the proliferation of autonomous robotic policing. The timeline also considers global challenges, including antibiotic-resistant diseases, climate-driven economic fluctuations, and a projected decline in the global birth rate below 2.0. By framing these developments within a narrative structure, Dstl aims to provide a clearer understanding of how societal shifts will influence future procurement needs and operational requirements.

For industry stakeholders, these scenarios serve as an indicator of the long-term research and development priorities of the UK government. The initiative underscores the importance of the human and geopolitical dimensions of technology, suggesting that future sub-contracts may increasingly value cross-disciplinary expertise. As the MOD seeks to maintain national agility, the insights derived from this foresight work will likely inform the development of next-generation systems that account for the transition toward autonomous and quantum-enabled defence frameworks. This strategic focus ensures that the UK remains prepared for the evolving landscape of global security through the end of the century.

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