This year marks a significant milestone in the longstanding partnership between Cranfield University and the Defence Academy of the UK. As we celebrate 40 years of collaboration, it's a time to reflect on the rich history and impactful contributions that have emerged from this alliance.

Cranfield's involvement with defence dates back even further than the official 40-year partnership. Today, our engagement with defence and security extends across all of our academic Schools and encompasses the Cranfield Ordnance Test and Evaluation Centre (COTEC) situated on Salisbury Plain. This breadth of engagement underscores our commitment to advancing defence capabilities through education, research, and practical application.

Over the years, Cranfield has been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to complex defence challenges. From cutting-edge research in aerospace and military technology to leadership development programmes tailored for defence personnel. Our partnership has been instrumental in driving progress and fostering excellence in defence-related endeavours in the UK and across many of our international allies.

Join in the celebrations

As we commemorate this milestone, we invite all those who have been part of our journey to join us in celebrating.

We will be sharing memories and stories from individuals who have been involved with Cranfield and Shrivenham over the years. If you have any old photographs, documents, or anecdotes from your time at Shrivenham, please get in touch with us, we would love to see them.

Your memories and stories will not only help us commemorate the past but also provide valuable insights into the evolution of our partnership and its impact on defence education and research.

Looking forward

As we raise a toast to the past, we're also looking ahead to the future. We remain committed to advancing the boundaries of defence knowledge and innovation, and our dedication to excellence in education and research will continue to drive us forward as we tackle new challenges and seize opportunities to make meaningful contributions to the defence and security sectors.

The 40th anniversary of Cranfield's partnership with the Defence Academy of the UK is a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of our collaboration. We are immensely proud of the achievements we have accomplished together and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to push the boundaries of defence and security excellence.

Join us as we celebrate this milestone and reflect on the remarkable journey we have shared.

Share your stories and memories