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Course in Defence Acquisition Policy

Online 300-hour course in defence acquisition policy. 6 modules covering Directive 2009/81/EC (public defence and security contracts), Law 24/2011 (public sector contracts in defence and security) and Microsoft Project. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the fundamentals of defence economics and the arms market.

02

Interpret the legal framework of public defence procurement.

03

Apply programme management techniques to major acquisitions.

04

Estimate lifecycle costs and analyse deviations.

05

Evaluate international cooperation models in joint programmes.

06

Assess new innovation instruments in public procurement.

07

Produce a critical analysis of an acquisition programme.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Acquisition programme manager looking to specialise in Defence Acquisition Policy.
  • Lifecycle cost analyst looking to specialise in Defence Acquisition Policy.
  • Defence public procurement officer looking to specialise in Defence Acquisition Policy.
  • Programme risk management lead looking to specialise in Defence Acquisition Policy.
  • Defence economics analyst looking to specialise in Defence Acquisition Policy.
  • International armaments cooperation consultant looking to specialise in Defence Acquisition Policy.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter public administration.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Directive 2009/81/EC (public defence and security contracts)
  • Law 24/2011 (public sector contracts in defence and security)
  • Law 9/2017 on Public Sector Contracts
  • AQAP-2110 (NATO quality assurance requirements)
  • ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (system lifecycle processes)
  • Regulation (EU) 2021/697 (European Defence Fund)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Defence budgets and NATO spending
  2. 1.2The 2% of GDP target
  3. 1.3Defence market: monopsony and oligopoly
  4. 1.4Defence industrial and technological base
  5. 1.5Weapon system lifecycle
  6. 1.6Total cost of ownership
  7. 1.7Cost escalation and Augustine's Law
  8. 1.8Industrial compensation (offsets)
  9. 1.9European strategic autonomy
  10. 1.10Workshop: analysis of the Spanish defence budget
  1. 2.1Directive 2009/81/EC on defence contracts
  2. 2.2Law 24/2011 on public sector contracts in defence
  3. 2.3Article 346 TFEU
  4. 2.4Negotiated procedures and competitive dialogue
  5. 2.5Information and supply security
  6. 2.6Subcontracting and supply chain
  7. 2.7Export control and ITAR
  8. 2.8Transparency and the Court of Audit
  9. 2.9Preventing corruption in defence
  10. 2.10Case study: appeal in a defence tender
  1. 3.1Acquisition models: DoD 5000 and AAP-20
  2. 3.2Definition, development and production phases
  3. 3.3Operational requirements and specification
  4. 3.4Special Modernisation Programmes
  5. 3.5Programme risk management
  6. 3.6Earned Value Management (EVM)
  7. 3.7Technology readiness TRL and MRL
  8. 3.8Systems integration and testing
  9. 3.9Integrated logistics support (ILS)
  10. 3.10Case study: lessons from the A400M programme
  1. 4.1European Defence Agency (EDA)
  2. 4.2OCCAR and management of cooperative programmes
  3. 4.3European Defence Fund
  4. 4.4PESCO and collaborative projects
  5. 4.5NATO NSPA
  6. 4.6FCAS, Eurodrone and Tiger programmes
  7. 4.7Workshare and juste retour
  8. 4.8Government-to-government sales and FMS
  9. 4.9NATO standardisation
  10. 4.10Workshop: structure of a multinational programme
  1. 5.1Agile acquisition and rapid prototyping
  2. 5.2Defence Innovation Unit and DIANA
  3. 5.3Innovative public procurement
  4. 5.4SMEs and start-ups in defence
  5. 5.5Software as a capability
  6. 5.6Sustainability and ESG criteria
  7. 5.7Supply chain resilience
  8. 5.8Lessons from the war in Ukraine
  9. 5.9Ethics in procuring autonomous systems
  10. 5.10Case study: accelerated munitions acquisition
  1. 6.1Programme selection
  2. 6.2Strategic context and need
  3. 6.3Acquisition strategy
  4. 6.4Contractual framework
  5. 6.5Cost and schedule analysis
  6. 6.6Risks and mitigation
  7. 6.7Evaluation of results
  8. 6.8Policy recommendations
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, @RISK, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practice cases are based on real procedures for analysing a real acquisition programme, estimating lifecycle costs and assessing programme risks. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.

Accredited laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL and vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven final project:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, with OT cyber security, IHL and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Programme selection

Explain the fundamentals of defence economics and the arms market.

Strategic context and need

Interpret the legal framework of public defence procurement.

Acquisition strategy

Apply programme management techniques to major acquisitions.

Contractual framework

Estimate lifecycle costs and analyse deviations.

Cost and schedule analysis

Evaluate international cooperation models in joint programmes.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Acquisition programme managerLifecycle cost analystDefence public procurement officerProgramme risk management leadDefence economics analystInternational armaments cooperation consultant
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with full-time work.

You will work with Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, @RISK and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

SEIUM's own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrative project. This is institutional training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

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