Routes to the UK Defence Market for SMEs

Join the Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Chilterns Regional Defence and Security Cluster (OBC RDSC) for an event encompassing areas of interest for SMEs wishing to engage with the MOD.

This event will explore how the MOD will deliver new government policies and how SMEs can prepare for successful engagement with the MOD.

Date: Friday 28 November 2025

Time: 09:00 – 15:00

Location: Satellite Applications Catapult, Fermi Avenue, Harwell Campus, OX11 0QR

The MOD’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and more recent Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) have set out the new Government policies to support UK innovation and SMEs in order to rapidly modernise our defence capabilities in the face of significantly increased global threats. This event will explore how the MOD will deliver these policies, and how SMEs can prepare for successful engagement with MOD.

The event will bring together representatives from the key parts of MOD involved with innovation and SMEs, along with specialist advisers in procurement routes, contract law and intellectual property, to signpost ways into the defence market.

There will be opportunities for attendees from the SME sector, academia and defence Prime Contractors to network, collaborate and discuss the latest MOD policies.

Speakers will update attendees on the latest policies to support small businesses, and provide background on a range of related topics:

• UK Defence Innovation and the MOD’s investment into innovation
• Defence Office for Small Business Growth
• Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSCO) – JHub
• Fitness for defence: JOSCAR
• Procurement Regulations and IP
• SME experience
• Funding

This event is strongly recommended for any company who wishes to engage with Defence organisations in the new future.

With thanks to our event sponsors Mischon de Reya, UKRI STFC, and Satellite Applications Catapult.