We understand that collaboration with our suppliers can lead to innovation and are committed to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in alignment with the Ministry of Defence SME Action Plan. We actively work with SMEs to support their research and technological breakthroughs, integrate their products and services into our solutions, and give them the opportunity to compete on a larger scale. This allows us to ensure we are always delivering the best solutions to our customers.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for suppliers that enable us to work within time, quality, cost and technical performance constraints, with a continuous focus on customer requirements. We are looking for partners that are committed to being leaders in process improvement initiatives, providing the best value to our customers and improving our competitiveness in the marketplace.

Connect with us

For UK small business opportunities, please contact Land Systems or Mission Systems.

You can find out more about where you can connect with us by visiting our events page, or by following us on social media – X, LinkedIn, Facebook

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

Fit for Defence

SMEs are a vital part of the UK defence and security supply chain. Suppliers should be prepared for additional requirements in order to be ‘Fit For Defence’ and should consider the following when considering contracting work with major primes in the UK:

• Cyber Essentials certification
• DEFCON and FAR/ DFAR compliance
• JOSCAR membership/ SME registration
• Applicable ISO standards
• NET Zero Strategy/ ISO14001
• Understanding of the UK Government’s social value requirements and expectations

Requirements and levels of governance may change. We are committed to providing support to our SMEs and partners to help them navigate specific conditions.

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Useful links  

• Hellios SME portal
• Joscar website
• MoD Doing Business with Defence: A link to the Ministry of Defence guidance on Doing Business with Defence
• MoD Doing Business with Defence Guide: A short guide to opportunities and innovation in the Defence Supply Chain
• MoD Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Action Plan: An overview of the commitments made by the Ministry of Defence and objectives of the Defence Suppliers Forum SME Working Group
• JOSCAR Certificate – General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited 2022
• Access the Mission Systems Terms and Conditions here (applicable from 1 May 2022)
• Reference previous Terms and Conditions:
  • Access the Mission Systems Terms and Conditions here (applicable until 30 April 2022 )
  • Access the Land Systems Terms and Conditions here (applicable from 1 January 2022)