Security & Defence

The UK is committed to an historic uplift in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027, with a commitment to hit 3% in the next Parliament, and it would be expected that at least 20% of that spending to continue to be on equipment. This commitment represents spending some £186bn on defence equipment and support in the 10 years from 2018/19. The UK is also a significant defence exporter, winning defence orders worth £14bn in 2018.

With an evolving and contested global landscape, the UK requires a strong defence and security sector to maintain a resilient and stable nation. Technology is central to these goals, and the role of SMEs is vital and will only grow over the coming years.

The UK has a vibrant and world-leading SME security and defence sector, which is a global leader in a wide range of products and services and supported the export of over £14bn of goods and services (2018). Globally, the security market—cyber security included—exhibits continued growth and is projected to reach over £230bn by 2030, with defence markets expected to grow to in excess of £3 trillion.

There are many innovative solutions developed for, and applicable to, the defence and Homeland & National Security sectors. Our team can help you navigate this landscape by signposting funding opportunities, offering advice, providing guidance and introducing beneficial connections.

Companies developing products, services or innovation that are applicable to defence or security sectors may be from areas such as IoT, data science/AI/ML, forensics, detection and screening technologies, cryptography, synthetic biology and chemistry, radiological and nuclear, UAV/drones, sensors, behavioural science, human enhancement, energy storage, advanced materials and electronics, space and earth observation, surveillance and intelligence, logistics, command and control.

Click here to see open funding opportunities in the security & defence sector.

Click here to see funding competitions and open calls from DASA (the UK government’s Defence and Security Accelerator).

Our current focus in this area

The National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) definition of cyber security’s core function is to protect the devices we all use, and the services we access from theft or damage and preventing unauthorised access to personal information we store on these devices, and online.

What makes our modern lives relatively easy, interconnected and seamless is this seldom thought of, but very vital soft infrastructure – the electromagnetic spectrum.

Related Opportunities

Global Incubator Programme: Seabed to Space Dual-Use Technologies, Canada

Opens: 08/06/2026

Closes: 24/07/2026

Innovate UK seeks up to eight innovative UK companies with dual-use civilian & military tech within the national security, defence, and marine technology sectors to join our tailored 12-month incubation programme delivered in partnership with COVE, a global innovation hub located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
More information

HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: Upgradeable sensors to rapidly detect chemical and biological hazards

Opens: 22/06/2026 Closes: 23/07/2026
HMGCC Co-Creation are offering up to £60k to develop next-generation sensors to enhance our ability to detect a broad range of chemical and biological substances in real-time.
More information

HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: Cooling in high power battlefield comms

Opens: 06/07/2026

Closes: 06/08/2026

HMGCC is inviting applications to help stop high-bandwidth radios from emitting too much heat.
More information

UK Defence Innovation - Space to Innovate: Delta Drop

Opens: 02/07/2026

Closes: 28/07/2026

Dstl and the UK Space Agency seek innovations to improve future space capabilities for defence and security.
More information

ARIA: Trust Everything, Everywhere - opportunity seeds

Opens: 22/06/2026

Closes: 27/07/2026

ARIA (the UK's Advanced Research & Innovation Agency) are seeking high-potential proposals to build a new cyber-physical trust infrastructure, with funding available up to £500,000 each.
More information

Innovation Loans Expression of Interest

There is no submission deadline
UK registered micro, small or medium sized enterprises can submit an Expression of Interest for loans for close to market innovative projects with strong commercial potential. They must significantly improve the UK economy and drive societal benefit.
More information

Related Events and Recordings

Wed
26
Feb
2025

CyberASAP Year 8 - Demo Day

12.30 - 19.00 | London

Watch now
Wed
2
Mar
2022

The Future of Computing for Defence

10.00 - 16.00 | Online

Watch Now
See all events

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For general enquiries regarding our Security & Defence sector contact us now

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