Defence Online

DPRTE Playback: Insights in Science, Innovation & Technology

April 9, 2025

The Science and Innovation Knowledge Transfer Zone at DPRTE 2025 offered an insightful and forward-looking perspective on the technologies, partnerships, and strategic priorities shaping the future of UK defence.

Held over two days at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, the zone brought together voices from across government, academia, and industry—including AWE, DE&S, Dstl, DASA, Digital Catapult, Scale, Innovate UK Business Connect, ADS Group, Women Empowering Defence, WSP UK, and e50K Strategic Advisory—to explore how defence suppliers, especially SMEs, can access and contribute to the MOD’s growing innovation ecosystem.

In the context of increased defence investment—£2.9Bn in 2026, with a further £2.2Bn to follow—the MOD’s science and innovation agenda is accelerating. From AI and quantum technologies to cyber resilience and advanced manufacturing, DPRTE 2025 made it clear: innovation is central to the UK’s defence strategy, and the supply chain has a vital role to play.

Exploring Emerging Technologies and Strategic Capability Needs

Day one opened with a focus on the emerging technologies and long-term partnerships required to maintain UK defence capability in a rapidly changing global landscape.

AWE shared insight into its £350M commercial programme aimed at building enduring relationships with suppliers across the country—expanding beyond traditional regions through new hubs at Harwell and Space Park Leicester. Meanwhile, Innovate UK Business Connect discussed how industry can align early with national science priorities, working collaboratively with government and academia to accelerate innovation cycles and support sovereign capability.

This emphasis on early engagement, cross-sector collaboration, and distributed innovation set the tone for the event. Defence suppliers were encouraged to engage not only through contracts, but also through co-development and long-term strategic partnerships.

Digital Transformation, AI, and Cyber Security

Day two turned its attention to the digital future of defence, with rich discussion on AI, cyber security, and the MOD’s wider digital transformation.

In a standout session, Scale introduced the concept of Agentic AI—AI agents capable of autonomously supporting military planning, logistics, and decision-making. Capable of compressing mission planning timelines from 72 hours to just minutes, these systems represent a major leap forward in command and control capabilities.

Cyber security also featured prominently, with panellists from Dstl and WSP UK highlighting the growing interdependence between AI systems, data integrity, and cyber resilience. Defence suppliers were encouraged to develop solutions that are interoperable, secure, and adaptable, supporting the MOD’s ambition to build digital-first, cloud-ready infrastructure.

Speakers from Women Empowering Defence and e50K Strategic Advisory emphasised the need for both technical and ethical innovation, championing diversity of thought, skills, and delivery models across the supply chain.

Quantum Technologies: Opportunity on the Horizon

Digital Catapult’s session on quantum technology outlined the opportunity for suppliers to begin engaging with quantum hardware and software now, through the Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP).

With support from Innovate UK, the programme enables suppliers to test real quantum systems and explore defence use cases such as frequency planning, cyber threat detection, and logistics optimisation.

While full-scale quantum computing remains on the horizon, quantum sensors—like gravimeters and inertial measurement systems—are much closer to market. Suppliers with expertise in sensing, photonics, and compact technologies were encouraged to prepare for near-term defence applications.

SME Access to Defence Innovation

 Throughout the Science and Innovation Zone, SMEs were placed at the centre of the MOD’s innovation strategy. The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) presented its full suite of support tools designed to help SMEs become business ready, funding ready, and supply chain ready.

DASA’s Defence Innovation Loans, the Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP), and the Business Growth and Finance team provide structured support for innovation scale-up and procurement access.

Success stories included:

• QUICKBLOCK, whose blast-resistant modular building solution was adapted from civilian use and deployed for military training
• IF, a Scottish company delivering a mobile water purification system, now attracting MOD interest and private investment

The message was clear: with the right innovation and support, SMEs can secure tangible contracts and deliver operational impact.

Routes to Market and Procurement Platforms

For suppliers ready to enter the MOD innovation ecosystem, Dstl’s R-Cloud platform remains a crucial route to market. With over £320M contracted and 70% of current suppliers being SMEs, R-Cloud allows businesses to respond to dynamic calls and deliver R&D into defence projects quickly and flexibly.

DE&S also outlined new approaches to supplier engagement, procurement reform, and digital contracting—enabling earlier input from suppliers and more agile project delivery.

Cross-Sector Collaboration and Future Readiness

Panellists from ADS Group, WSP UK, and others urged suppliers to draw on expertise from adjacent sectors—highlighting opportunities for those with backgrounds in energy, advanced computing, infrastructure, and logistics.

Speakers also stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration and ethical innovation, ensuring that technological advancement is underpinned by inclusive leadership, responsible governance, and long-term sustainability.

Looking Ahead to DPRTE 2026

Following the success of this year’s event, DPRTE 2026 will return to Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre on 25–26 March 2026.

With defence spending increasing, digital transformation accelerating, and the MOD deepening its commitment to innovation and supply chain collaboration, DPRTE 2026 promises to be the must-attend event for all suppliers involved in defence science, technology, and procurement.

For organisations seeking to understand future capability needs, connect with MOD innovation leads, and showcase their own contributions to defence modernisation, early planning and participation will be key.

Keep an eye out for the upcoming episode of the DPRTE webinar series that will review the major outcomes of the event. https://www.dprte.co.uk/

How Defence Contracts International (DCI) can support you

For suppliers looking to stay ahead of the curve, Defence Contracts International (DCI) is an essential tool for discovering real-time business opportunities in the defence and security sector.

DCI provides tailored intelligence on tenders, framework agreements, contract awards, and upcoming MOD requirements. For businesses working in science and innovation, DCI’s alerts and market insights ensure you never miss a chance to engage with relevant programmes, funding calls, and procurement pathways.

Whether you’re a start-up looking for your first defence opportunity or an established business seeking to diversify, DCI helps you navigate the landscape with confidence, putting actionable information at your fingertips and helping you build the connections you need to grow in the defence sector.

Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.