Security & Defence
The UK is committed to spending a minimum 2% of GDP on defence over the next decade, and at least 20% of that spending on equipment. This commitment represents spending some £186bn on defence equipment and support in the 10 years from 2018/19. The UK is also the second largest defence exporter, winning defence orders worth £14bn in 2018.
Specialist Areas
|Sectors
|Case Studies
|Opportunities
|Case Studies
|Events
|Experts
|News
|Perspective
|Programmes
To maintain the safety and security of both the public and visitors to the UK, police, intelligence agencies and the private security sector is supported by a vibrant UK SME security sector which is a global leader in a wide range of products and services who supported the export of over £5.2m goods and services (2018). Globally, the security market – cyber security included – exhibits continued growth and is projected to reach £150bn by 2022.
There are many innovative solutions developed for, and applicable to the defence and 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 and work in areas like cIoT, 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.
Our current focus in this area
Related Opportunities
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
NCSC Funded Cyber Essentials Programme
Apply anytime
Small organisations from specific sectors in the UK are being offered practical support to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus at no cost to the organisation.
More Information
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2025 – 2026 Round 1
Opens: 17/02/2025 Closes: 09/04/2025
UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults, working with businesses or not for profits, can apply for a share of up to £9m.
More Information
Related Events and Recordings
Our Experts
Related News
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
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.