Defence Minister highlights role of SMEs in defence industry

Defence Minister Phillip Dunne visited the UK Defence Solutions Centre in Farnborough to highlight the important role small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) play in the defence industry.

Charing a Defence Suppliers Forum, Dunne put the focus on the important partnership between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and gave small business leaders the chance to engage directly with MoD officials to discuss a range of topics important to SMEs.

Dunne also took the opportunity to highlight the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory‘s (Dstl) Centre for Defence Enterprise series of small business research initiative-themed competitions as part of the £10 million Defence Growth Partnership Innovation Challenge funded by the MoD.

These competitions aim to encourage the development of innovative Defence products for use by MoD and so far 50 contracts have been awarded to the value of £4 million.

Dunne said: “I am really pleased to bring the MOD’s SME Forum here to Farnborough today, and to meet several Small and Medium Enterprises, who are already contributing so much to the Defence industry.

“Through the Defence Growth Partnership Innovation Challenge, the MoD is committed to harnessing and growing the incredible creativity in our Defence supply chain, ensuring we are making the most of Great British skills for both our Armed Forces and our export customers around the world.

Steve Brittan, UK Defence Solutions Centre CEO, said:

“These SME Forums are a great opportunity to engage further with the UK Value Chain and to showcase the exciting work that the SMEs are contributing to the Defence industry. These events are crucial in developing a deeper understand in how, as an industry, we can work closer together.”