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

Cyber Local 2025-2026

Initial EOI form must be submitted by midnight Friday 14 March.

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £1.8 million targeting the growth of the cyber security sector and the development of cyber security skills.

More Information

Innovation Exchange - Simulation of critical national infrastructure penetration

Opens: 18/02/2025   Closes: 19/05/2025

The UK is becoming increasingly reliant on complex interconnected infrastructure systems; this also leads to the vulnerability of attack especially from cyber connections. To address gaps in understanding cybersecurity threats and developing defences for Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) system

More Information

DASA Competition: Innovation in dermal protection against liquid chemicals

Opens: 20/02/2025   Closes: 15/04/2025

DASA (Defence & Security Accelerator) seek proposals that will help to solve the problem of providing dermal protection against liquid chemical contamination.

More Information

Related Events and Recordings

Wed
26
Feb
2025

CyberASAP Year 8 - Demo Day

12.30 - 19.00 | London

Recording coming soon
Wed
2
Mar
2022

The Future of Computing for Defence

10.00 - 16.00 | Online

Watch Now
See all events

Our Experts

Related News

CyberASAP alumni reach £32M funding milestone

20/09/2024

CyberASAP alumni reach £32M funding milestone

Going into its eighth year, Cyber Security Academic Startup Accelerator Programme (CyberASAP) alumni have raised over £32 million in funding, highlighting the real-world impact of academic cyber research.

Read more
Scaling New Heights: Investing in Future Flight

25/06/2024

Scaling New Heights: Investing in Future Flight

As part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge, Innovate UK Business Connect recently hosted its first Future Flight investor engagement event in Canary Wharf.

Read more
More News

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

Close

Connect with Innovate UK Business Connect

Join Innovate UK Business Connect's mailing list to receive updates on funding opportunities, events and to access Innovate UK Business Connect's deep expertise. Please check your email to confirm your subscription and select your area(s) of interest.