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.
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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.
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Related Opportunities
UKDI Biosecurity Frontiers: Defending against biological threats
Opens: 17/04/2026 Closes: 10/06/2026
This competition seeks innovations to strengthen the UK's ability to detect, prevent and respond to biological risks.
More Information
UK Defence Innovation Competition: Innovation Support to Operations Phase 3 (Cycle 7)
Opens: 23/02/2026 Closes: 12/05/2026
Seeking cost competitive, innovative solutions across seven new challenge areas covering Unmanned Aerial Systems, telemetry, and autonomous navigation/guidance.
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UK Defence Innovation: Rapid transfusion diagnostics - blood testing in the field
Opens: 16/03/2026 Closes: 02/06/2026
UKDI seeks innovations to support the donation and transfusion of blood in deployed settings.
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HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: Smart personal assistant for security researchers
Opens: 16/03/2026 Closes: 07/05/2026
HMGCC Co-Creation is launching a new 12-week funded challenge to develop a smart personal assistant for security researchers.
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UK Defence Innovation: Map the Gap (Phase 3)
Opens: 22/04/2026 Closes: 16/06/2026
£2m total funding for proposals that can remotely assess terrain stability and measure rivers and nearby areas, to support safe and rapid traversing of land forces.
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Contracts for Innovation: Cyber scale in critical sectors
Opens: 01/05/2026 Closes: 10/06/2026
Organisations can apply for up to £300k each to develop, demonstrate and commercialise their cyber security solution in real end user environments within critical sector organisations.