Design thinking is actively promoted in the military to accelerate innovation. However, governments do not provide adequate funding or prioritise design methods in defence innovation programs. Our study audits global defence innovation programs, the strategic direction for innovation labs, funding and the role of design. The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent and effectiveness of design methods used in defence innovation labs. We also examine the structure, methods and outcomes of three lab case studies within the global defence context. Results reveal a disproportionate focus on science and technology in innovation labs. Few organisations incorporate design methods, seen as critical to successful innovation, in their R&D programs. Where design is encouraged in military organisations, it is primarily directed at bottom-up innovation programs. In contrast, government and defence heavily support science and technology innovation programs as part of organisational strategy, with funding as well as sponsorship from senior officers. Therefore, government and military organisations have systematically constrained the potential to accelerate innovation using novel strategies such as design. We discuss the unrealised opportunity for use of design in defence as well as the potential model for increasing cross discipline collaboration and disruptive innovation."