Small to Medium Enterprises
We recognise that deep industry collaboration is essential to maintaining the UK’s strategic edge in defence innovation. In alignment with the Ministry of Defence SME Action Plan, we are committed to empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by supporting their research, accelerating technologies, and integrating their capabilities into sovereign defence solutions.
By fostering an open and inclusive ecosystem, we enable SMEs to scale and contribute to the delivery of cutting-edge, interoperable systems and platforms that meet the evolving needs of the Armed Forces and strengthen the UK’s Defence Industrial Base.
Fit for Defence
SMEs play a crucial role in the UK’s defence supply chain. To engage effectively with major primes, suppliers should be ready to meet enhanced ‘Fit For Defence’ standards and keep the following considerations in mind when pursuing contracting opportunities in the UK:
C4i Tech Edge
Strengthening the UK’s defence capabilities depends on unlocking innovation across the industrial base – transforming emerging technologies into deployable advantage for our forces.
As the UK’s leading mission systems integrator, our C4I Tech Edge initiative accelerates UK-based integration by identifying, developing, and fast-tracking new capabilities into the hands of British soldiers.
Through C4I Tech Edge, we’re opening new pathways for UK-based SMEs, academia, and non-traditional defence partners to collaborate with us – shaping the future force and reinforcing a sovereign defence ecosystem.
If you’re a UK-based innovator with a game-changing technology or idea, we want to hear from you. Connect with our Mission Systems team and become part of our C4I Tech Edge network.
Driving Ecosystem Collaboration with Project ASGARD
Our Mission Systems team is proud to support the UK Ministry of Defence’s Project ASGARD – partnering with SMEs and defence primes to integrate emerging technologies and rapidly deliver new capabilities at pace to the British Army.
Hear from some of our suppliers
Thomas Kirk, Francis Kirk (Socket Screws)
Based in Denton, Manchester, Francis Kirk (Socket Screws) has been a supplier to our Land Systems line of business for the AJAX programme. Founded in 1868 as a tool shop with the simple aim to manufacture quality tools for workmen, the company has grown domestically and internationally with operations around the world.
Ciaran O’Shea, Nprime
Nprime was founded in 2003 to provide testing solutions to every facet of engineering. Nprime conduct data measurement and analysis for the purposes of virtual validation, design optimisation, investigation and compliance. Nprime specialise in providing turnkey measurement solutions with specialisation in noise and vibration, strain gauging, environmental measurement, remote monitoring, etc. Nprime prides itself on their reactiveness and flexibility while assisting their customers with their everyday measurement needs.
Simon Jones, PRV Engineering
PRV Engineering manufacture for an expanse of industries from Aircraft and Automotive, Pharmaceutical, Defence and Construction. With a vast range of disciplines such as General, Precision and CNC machining including Multi Axis/Multi Discipline production, Deep Hole Drilling, Welding, Steel Fabrication and Aluminium Fabrication, CAD/CAM links, Installation and Maintenance to name only a few, we are able to provide a complex and diverse range of services and products to our customers.
Hellios SME Portal
Promote your capabilities in the defence, aerospace and security sectors quickly and easily with the new Hellios SME Portal. The Hellios SME Portal was created in collaboration with the JOSCAR Governance Group members in response to the Ministry of Defence’s SME Action Plan. Its purpose is to improve the visibility of SMEs to buyers across the defence, aerospace and security sectors.