The traditional just-in-time (JIT) supply chain model is increasingly being tested by disruptions, both expected and unforeseen. As a result, there’s a growing shift towards the just-in-case (JIC) approach, which prioritises resilience by maintaining strategic stockpiles and ensuring smoother continuity during times of crisis and uncertainty.
This shift can strengthen operational readiness, particularly in the defence sector. The move to a just-in-case supply chain offers key advantages, but it also comes with challenges that need to be navigated to ensure both flexibility and efficiency in defence logistics.
Shifting to just-in-case for resilient supply chains
The transition from JIT to JIC reflects a growing need for resilience in the face of increasing known and unknown disruptions. JIT aims to minimise inventory costs by ordering goods only as needed, reducing storage and waste but leaving supply chains vulnerable to disruptions like supply side delays or demand surges. In contrast, JIC prioritises maintaining the right amount and type of buffer stock and lead times, ensuring more reliable continuity during unforeseen events. Although it may involve higher costs and more efficient use of data—such as collection, analysis, and management decision-making—the JIC model provides critical resilience.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the weaknesses of JIT in the commercial sector, with factory shutdowns, sudden demand spikes, and geopolitical tensions disrupting supply chains 1. As a result, many commercial businesses have adopted JIC, accepting higher inventory costs to maintain smoother operations during times of uncertainty. More recently, disruptions in the Red Sea have caused significant delays in global supply chains, particularly for those still relying on JIT 2. Shipping companies have been forced to reroute their vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, adding time and costs to deliveries, and causing delays in goods like consumer products and oil. These challenges highlight the limitations of JIT and emphasise the importance of adopting more reliable strategies, like JIC.
The benefits of just-in-case supply chain for defence 
For the defence industry, adopting a JIC approach where needed will strengthen operational resilience. Enhancing buffer stock and safeguarding sovereign supply chains will ensure military operations can adapt and scale effectively in response to global instability and natural disasters. A more resilient defence supply chain is essential to maintaining national security.
While JIT can still be effective for certain parts of the defence supply chain, particularly where efficiency and predictability are key. However, other areas—especially those critical for operational readiness—need to adopt JIC principles. This calls for a tailored approach that blends both models, leveraging the strengths of each to maintain flexibility while ensuring efficiency.
As Paul Lyall, Associate Director of Defence at Unipart Logistics explains, “The shift to a ‘just-in-case’ mindset is about ensuring we’re prepared for anything, with the resources to sustain operations through periods of crisis and conflict. It’s an investment in resilience—not just for defence, but for national prosperity and our ability to support international partners. Achieving that within the budgetary and industrial envelopes will be challenging, but possible.”
Beyond strengthening domestic capabilities, JIC reinforces our role as a dependable ally, ready to assist when needed.
The challenges of just-in-case supply chain
While the advantages of JIC are clear, its implementation is not without challenges. The shift from a focus on efficiency to prioritising resilience requires a fundamental change in mindset, particularly within military organisations. A UK government policy paper highlights that the “old normal” of pre-2020 supply chains is no longer effective, with the “new normal” emphasising flexibility and sovereign resilience 3. The previous model, which centred on cost reduction through JIT strategies, relied on predictability. In response, the Defence Supply Chain Strategy (DSCS) roadmap outlines six workstreams to drive transformation, enhance planning, strengthen collaboration, and improve commercial strategy. These build on existing programmes like Business Modernisation for Support (BMfS) and Direct Supply 4.
As Paul highlights, “while the government is enacting positive change, the military end-user must adopt a new mindset, overcoming institutional biases and internal conflicts.” This shift will require a more agile approach and the dismantling of organisational silos that have traditionally favoured efficiency over flexibility. Overcoming institutional resistance will be essential to meeting the demands of the “new normal” in defence supply chain management.
Paul further notes how, “the transition to a JIC model presents challenges for industry. It’s no longer just about supplying materials; the military needs the right capabilities—equipment and trained personnel—ready when needed”. The focus must shift from tracking inputs to ensuring outputs, such as military readiness and capability availability. Industry must adapt by prioritising readiness, building in the agility to ensure that resources are available at the right time to support the military’s operational flexibility.
The UK defence sector faces additional significant challenges 5. There are substantial financial pressures, including defence inflation coupled with a substantial ‘black hole’ in the national defence budget. Moreover, the UK’s defence procurement system is criticised for its slow pace and inefficiency, often causing delays and inflated costs 6.
These financial constraints make it difficult to invest in the infrastructure and personnel needed for a JIC strategy. The need for specialised skills becomes even more pressing under this model, as diverse operational capabilities are critical for responding rapidly to crises. Transitioning to a JIC approach will also necessitate reforms in procurement processes, enabling faster acquisition of essential capabilities while ensuring value for money.
Recommendations for overcoming defence supply chain challenges
These challenges, however, are not insurmountable. Addressing the challenges of a JIC supply chain requires a clear vision, with active direction from the National Security Council, empowered ministers, and engaged defence stakeholders. Scenario-based planning and informed military judgement are crucial to understanding future requirements and likely contingencies.
Paul highlights the importance of making informed decisions about investment, ensuring that military capabilities align with available resources. For the UK defence industry and its international partners, collaboration, investment, and long-term confidence in demand will be key to success. Sharing commercial risks with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and investing in infrastructure improvements, such as increased warehousing capacity and enhanced cybersecurity, will help build a resilient defence supply chain.
Unipart’s role
At Unipart, we manage complex supply chains every day, helping organisations achieve the right balance between efficiency and resilience. With decades of experience supporting world-class clients across various sectors, we understand the challenges faced by industries such as defence, automotive, rail, and aerospace, where high-risk environments mean disruptions can have serious consequences. In these scenarios, a blend of just-in-time (JIT) efficiency and just-in-case (JIC) preparedness is often essential. A tailored, resilient supply chain solution that combines both strategies ensures the flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to effectively respond to disruptions, crises, and conflict.
We focus on delivering better outcomes through:
- Optimised Inventory & Visibility: By continually aligning inventory with actual needs and integrating logistics, we help reduce delays, lower costs, and ensure smoother operations.
- Increased Resilience & Sustainability: Combining JIT and JIC allows you to stay prepared for disruptions, optimise resource use, and reduce waste, helping to safeguard both operational and environmental goals.
- Custom Solutions: We work with you to understand your specific needs, offering tailored solutions that support cultural change, improve demand forecasting, and enhance stock flow and distribution for faster response times.
- Real-Time Tools & Security: With our Lead Logistics Partner (LLP) approach, real-time tools offer visibility and data security, which can reduce costs and improve logistics through clear, data-driven insights.
- Engineering Expertise: Whether it’s repairs, custom manufacturing, or meeting ongoing operational needs, our engineering solutions keep your supply chain running efficiently.
These strategies have already helped many organisations improve their readiness and resilience in the face of uncertainty. Unipart’s expertise in supply chain, engineering, and manufacturing is geared towards ensuring that defence sectors remain adaptable, effective, and prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.
Contact us today for customised solutions to optimise your defence Supply Chain.
References
- Altium, The Just-in-Time Supply Chain Shifted to Just-in-Case. 2023
- BBC, What do Red Sea assaults mean for global trade?. 2024
- Gov.UK, Policy paper: Defence Supply Chain Strategy. 2022
- Gov.UK, Policy paper: Defence Supply Chain Strategy. 2022
- Moorhouse consulting, Navigating the Future: Overcoming Workforce Challenges in the UK Defence Sector. 2024
- UK Parliament, It is broke — and it’s time to fix it: The UK’s defence procurement system. 2023