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
Horizon Europe 2025 work programme Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society
Opens: 03/05/2025 Closes: 12/11/2025
Topics available under Horizon Europe’s Cluster 3 programme for 2025/26, with funding of up to €6m per project
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HMGCC Co-creation Challenge: Tracking solution for alternative positioning, navigation and timing
Opens: 14/04/2025 Closes: 15/05/2025
HMGCC seek devices that are small in size, weight and power (SWaP) to track government staff, that can be used when satellite systems such as Global Positioning System (GPS) aren’t available.
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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
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Innovation Exchange challenge: Counter Multi-Domain Unmanned Vehicles & Vessels
Opens: 17/03/2025 Closes: 30/05/2025
BAE Systems invites innovative solutions that can support the timely and successful conduct of Counter Multi-Domain Unmanned Vehicles and Vessels (C-UxV) in response to increasingly complex and diverse threats.
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Innovation Exchange challenge: Integrated Air and Missile Defence
Opens: 17/03/2025 Closes: 30/05/2025
BAE Systems invites innovative solutions that can support the timely and successful conduct of Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) in response to increasingly complex and diverse threats.
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Contracts for Innovation: FOAK 2025 – Personal Safety
Opens: 07/04/2025 Closes: 28/05/2025
Organisations can apply for a share of up to £4.7m across four themes to develop a prototype, conduct field testing and demonstrate their solution.
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