Implementing Industry 4.0 in Joint Helicopter Support Squadron Supply Chain

Does the challenge in the military Supply chain
output prevent the implementation of Industry 4.0
into Joint Helicopter Support Squadron (JHSS) to
deliver and sustain operations to meet UK Defence
Missions and Tasks?

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The main aim of this report was to establish a connection between the current
challenges that are occurring in the military supply chain output and whether or not they
played a role in preventing implementation of industry 4.0 standards by a specialist support
unit of the Royal Logistics Corps, Joint Helicopter Support Squadron (JHSS) in its tasks to
aid the British army in any way possible whether it is emergency aids or critical defence
missions. After conducting a detailed research about the operations conducted by the JHSS
along with the current state of military supply chains and defence logistics, some key issues
were highlighted such as lack of innovation, subpar cyber security and lack of digitized and
smart systems which were indeed posing a problem for the company to properly implement
industry 4.0. The report also amplified the scope of industry 4.0 concepts and systems and
stated the benefits of having a smart supply chain and advanced cyber systems in workplaces.
The report supplemented the benefits with an action plan which JHSS can use to not only
move towards implementing industry 4.0 in its framework but also overcome the challenges
in military supply chains through digitization and increase in supply chain agility. Ethical
considerations were also stated as they are a very important pillar upon which the actions of
army and its supporting bodies are based on along with recommendations for JHSS to make
sure their action plan is effective and is duly followed upon.

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................
Military supply chains............................................................................................................4
Joint helicopter supply squadron............................................................................................5
Challenges..............................................................................................................................6
Causes.....................................................................................................................................8
Industry 4.0...........................................................................................................................11
Action plan...........................................................................................................................12
Ethical considerations...........................................................................................................14
Recommendations................................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................
Fishbone model....................................................................................................................19

INTRODUCTION
Military power of a nation is an extremely crucial determinant of its global influence
as it helps to maintain national sovereignty and aid the country in matters of public and
political interest. In order to keep the military personnel focused, deadly and precise which
helps them execute tough defense missions and public safety tasks with maximum efficiency,
the role of military supply chains is paramount (Gordon, 2019). Through military supply
chains, the armed forces of the nation have goods and essential services procured,
manufactured and delivered in a robust and quick manner as defense tasks and missions are
often matters of national interest and importance (Stiefelmaier, 2020). However the supply
chain bottlenecks and challenges when it comes to delivery of military goods such as
weapons and artilleries affect the ability of organizations such as Joint Helicopter Support
Squadron (JHSS) to undertake their defense duties properly. This report will highlight the
pivotal role played by military supply chains, the challenges plaguing them and the impact of
these problems on JHSS to deliver and sustain their UK defence missions and tasks through
advanced technological integration facilitated by industry 4.0. The report will also include an
action plan along with recommendations to further bolster such crucial supply chains so that
the UK’s military and support organizations are always ready for defence mission
deployments.
MAIN BODY
Military supply chains
Before getting to the crux of challenges which are affecting the variable at hand, it is
very important to understand the factors at play in order to gain sufficient information about
the problem at hand. By accurately studying every variable involved in a potential problem or
challenge, people working in groups can judge its complexity and develop potential solutions
in a creative manner (Carmeli, Levi and Peccei, 2021). One of the major variables involved
here are military supply chains which are very important proponents of a nation’s armed
force effectiveness and has a direct impact on the way the army responds and undertakes
complex field duties such as rescue operations and defence missions.
According to Francisco Lora, military logistics and supply chain activities directly
relate to a nation’s military power as it defines the ability and efficiency with which the