DPRTE 2025: New Two-Day Format Reflects Growing Momentum Amid Increased UK Defence Spending

Homeland April 3, 2025

The Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE) 2025 event, held on 26–27 March 2025 at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, marked a transformative year for the UK’s premier defence procurement showcase. For the first time, DPRTE adopted a two-day format, giving attendees a more immersive opportunity to engage with expert speakers, explore cutting-edge solutions, and build stronger industry partnerships.

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This year’s event took place against the backdrop of a significant boost in UK defence spending, with the government announcing an increase of £2.9 billion in 2026, followed by an additional £2.2 billion in 2027. This surge in funding, part of the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening national security and maintaining technological superiority, brings a renewed sense of opportunity for those across the defence supply chain—from established primes to innovative SMEs.

The Keynote Arena was packed with insightful discussions on how the increased defence budget will drive greater collaboration between the MOD, industry, and academia.

Here, we look at some of the main take aways from a selection of the Keynote Arena speakers:

Preparing for the Future of Defence Procurement

Maria Eagle MP, Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry, provided the opening ministerial address, and reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to strengthening national defence and enhancing supply chain resilience through increased investment and collaboration.

Key Announcements:

Increased Defence Spending – An additional £2.9bn next year and £2.2bn beyond, aimed at warfighting readiness, deterrence, and supply chain resilience.
SME Support & Procurement Reform – Launch of a dedicated SME hub to improve access to contracts, alongside a new MOD SME spending target to ensure wider industry participation.
Defence Innovation Acceleration – A new defence innovation organisation will drive technological advancements, leveraging British research to strengthen security and economic growth.
Procurement Reforms – Appointment of a National Armament Director to improve efficiency and accountability in defence spending, ensuring greater capability enhancements and better opportunities for British firms.

The Minister called on industry, SMEs, and defence organisations to seize these opportunities, emphasising that collaboration, resilience, and innovation are essential to maintaining the UK’s world-leading defence sector. Her speech set the tone for DPRTE 2025, positioning it as a key forum for shaping the future of defence procurement.

Strengthening Defence and Security Through Industrial Partnerships

Huw Walters, Director of Economic Security at the MOD, emphasised the critical role of industry in strengthening the UK’s defence capabilities. With the increase in defence, the government is reinforcing its commitment to security and economic resilience.

A central pillar of this strategy is industrial collaboration. The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), launched in December, aligns national security with economic growth. Engagement from SMEs, academia, and industry has been vital, with nearly 200 contributions shaping its direction.

Key initiatives include:

SME Support Hub – providing guidance to small businesses on integrating into defence supply chains.
Defence Innovation Body – fostering collaboration between MOD, industry, and academia to accelerate new technologies.
Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) – ensuring a unified MOD approach to industry engagement, incorporating tech firms, trade unions, and education sectors.
Industry Wargames – testing supply chain resilience and surge capacity.

The UK is also strengthening defence exports and international partnerships. Industrial cooperation with allies (e.g., Germany and France) and initiatives like AUKUS are key to deterring threats. Future defence strategies will prioritise interoperability, export growth, and resilience in supply chains.

Ultimately, defence is both a security imperative and an economic driver. The UK’s defence industry must embrace innovation, collaboration, and global partnerships to meet emerging challenges.

Driving UK Defence Success Through Science & Technology

Tim Sheldon, Dstl Chief Delivery Officer, spoke on the subject of Mission Success for UK Defence and Security through Science & Technology Exploitation.

Opportunities & Engagement

The future of UK defence and security hinges on the effective exploitation of science and technology. As threats evolve and the pace of innovation accelerates, harnessing cutting-edge research and technological advancements has never been more critical.

The MOD’s commitment to increasing defence investment—backed by billions in additional funding—signals a clear intent to enhance warfighting readiness, strengthen deterrence, and build resilience across the supply chain. With initiatives like the R-Cloud procurement framework, a dedicated SME hub, and streamlined procurement processes, the UK is creating a more agile and inclusive defence ecosystem.

For suppliers, this presents a unique opportunity. Whether through advanced sensor management, quantum technologies, or AI-driven decision-making, businesses that align with defence priorities will be best positioned to contribute to national security. The government’s push for greater industry collaboration ensures that innovation isn’t just developed—it’s rapidly deployed where it’s needed most.

Action Points for Defence Suppliers

Register with R-Cloud to access upcoming contracts.
Engage with MOD & Dstl at DPRTE and beyond to stay informed on procurement changes.
Explore SME-focused initiatives for better integration into supply chains.
Attend key sessions on procurement, innovation, and technology developments.

The defence sector is evolving rapidly—suppliers must innovate, collaborate, and engage to capitalise on new opportunities and strengthen the UK’s defence capabilities.

Transforming Defence Procurement

Helen Bates, Commercial Director at DE&S and Andrew Butler, MOD Accelerating Commercial Pathways Co-Ordinator, delivered a joint session on Accelerating Commercial Pathways – Driving Pace and Adaptability in Defence Procurements.

A New Approach to Procurement

In FY23/24, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) spent approximately £38.2 billion across 9,600 UK and foreign-owned organisations, underscoring the need for a more tailored and efficient procurement process. To address this, the MOD launched the Accelerating Commercial Pathways programme, designed to transform commercial practices and foster a more collaborative culture with industry partners.

Empowering Personnel & Enhancing Agility

The programme focuses on empowering MOD personnel by promoting knowledge-sharing and best practices. It aims to accelerate procurement processes, reduce risk aversion, and enhance adaptability to evolving challenges by leveraging new procurement legislation flexibilities.

Diverse Commercial Pathways

To cater to different procurement needs, the MOD has introduced various commercial pathways, including:

Spiral Development – Enabling continuous capability evolution.
SME Participation – Increasing opportunities for small and medium enterprises.
Low Complexity Procurement – Streamlining less intricate acquisitions.
Digital & Technology – Supporting innovation in emerging tech.
Science & Technology Experimentation – Facilitating rapid research and deployment.
National Security Procurement – Addressing classified and critical requirements.

Practical Applications & Industry Engagement

These pathways are already being applied in projects such as uncrewed aerial systems, armoured vehicles, and warships, ensuring supply chain resilience, rapid response, and cost-effectiveness.

Launched in March 2025, the programme prioritises industry collaboration, with feedback sessions beginning in April 2025. Defence suppliers are encouraged to embrace flexibility, innovate, and work closely with the MOD to drive faster decision-making and delivery.

Enabling Defence Through Infrastructure

A Critical Mission

Claire Benham, Commercial Director of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), emphasised its vital role in supporting Defence personnel across the global estate. With 3,000 staff managing 132,000 assets across 1,097 establishments and 1.157 million hectares of land, DIO ensures that Defence personnel can live, work, and train effectively. In the 2023/24 financial year, the organisation oversaw 725 open contracts with 249 industry suppliers, managing £4.7 billion of the MOD’s infrastructure spend.

Managing a Complex Defence Estate

DIO is responsible for planning, building, maintaining, and servicing Defence infrastructure, a task made increasingly complex by aging facilities, rising demand, and supply chain challenges. With pay constraints and procurement reforms, the organisation must find efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions to ensure the Defence estate remains fit for purpose.

Supporting Defence Personnel

To meet the needs of service personnel, DIO provides Service Family Accommodation, Single Living Accommodation, and facilities management across Defence sites. Additionally, it delivers capital infrastructure projects, overseeing a diverse portfolio of major programmes, with £1.1 billion worth of projects completed last year.

Training, Sustainability, and Social Value

DIO plays a crucial role in providing safe training environments, supporting missions such as Op Interflex and Exercise Steadfast Defender. Sustainability remains a core priority, with infrastructure improvements and conservation efforts integrated into planning. Social value initiatives, including #DIOGivingBack, support veterans and environmental projects, with industry suppliers contributing significantly.

Partnering for the Future

Looking ahead, DIO seeks industry partners who bring expertise, embrace collaboration, and can work within effective contracts. Procurement reform and adherence to the Armed Forces Covenant will be critical to ensuring successful, long-term partnerships that support the evolving needs of Defence.

DPRTE 2026: A Must-Attend for the Defence Supply Chain

DPRTE 2025 successfully reflected the growing momentum within the UK’s defence sector, providing a platform where industry leaders, SMEs, and government representatives could engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of defence procurement. The expanded two-day format allowed for a richer, more interactive experience, enabling attendees to gain deeper insights into the evolving landscape.

DPRTE 26 will take place at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre on 25-26 March.

With increased funding on the horizon and a renewed focus on engaging SMEs, DPRTE 2026 promises to be an essential event for all those involved in the defence supply chain. As the MOD continues to prioritise innovation, resilience, and collaboration, next year’s event will offer even greater opportunities for suppliers to align their offerings with the UK’s defence priorities—making it a must-attend for anyone looking to make a lasting impact in the sector.

Stay tuned for news on the upcoming episode of the DPRTE webinar series that will review the major outcomes of the event. https://www.dprte.co.uk/

From Event to Action: Turning DPRTE Insights into Opportunities

Don’t forget, Defence Contracts International (DCI) offers significant value to DPRTE attendees post-event by providing tailored support for navigating the complex defence procurement landscape.

Through DCI’s extensive network and expert knowledge, attendees can access exclusive insights on upcoming opportunities, connect with key decision-makers, and receive guidance on successfully bidding for contracts.

With a focus on helping SMEs and larger organisations expand their presence within the defence sector, DCI’s post-event services ensure that participants stay informed, build lasting relationships, and remain competitive in the evolving market.