Turning emerging tech into defence capability
The Innovation & Emerging Defence Technologies Zone explores how AI, autonomous systems and advanced materials are transforming capability development — and what industry needs to do to accelerate that journey. It's anchored to the Defence Investment Plan's biggest technology bets: GCAP (£8bn+ over four years, already 4,500+ UK jobs), the £5bn+ drone and autonomy transformation, the ~£2bn Digital Targeting Web, and the £100m Rapid AI Delivery Taskforce (RAID).
Sessions dig into realistic in-service timelines for AI and autonomy in the future battlespace, drones and Collaborative Combat Aircraft ('loyal wingmen'), crewed-uncrewed teaming and the Common Combat Vessel, plus the near-term funding and adoption pathways for quantum, advanced sensors and smart materials.
There's a candid look at crossing the 'valley of death' — de-risking the move from R&D into procurement — alongside sovereign AI capability, 'control of the stack', and the ethics, assurance and trust needed for autonomous systems, plus international technology access through AUKUS Pillar II, GCAP and emerging European partnerships.
MOD's novel-technology spend is already 10%+ of the Equipment Programme, rising to 16% by FY29/30. This zone shows SMEs and start-ups how to win funding via DASA and UK Defence Innovation (~£400m annual budget), and how to scale from trials to programmes of record.
From lab to frontline
AI, Autonomy & the Digital Targeting Web
Realistic in-service timelines for AI and autonomy in the future battlespace, where the £5bn+ autonomy budget and Digital Targeting Web will be spent next, and Collaborative Combat Aircraft, crewed-uncrewed teaming and the Common Combat Vessel.
Quantum, Sensors & the Valley of Death
Near-term funding and adoption pathways for quantum, advanced sensors and smart materials, and practical routes for de-risking the move from R&D and demonstration into procurement.
Sovereign AI & International Access
Sovereign AI capability and 'control of the stack', ethics and assurance for autonomous systems, and international technology access through AUKUS Pillar II, GCAP and emerging European partnerships.