Your route into the defence supply chain
The Supply Chain & Market Engagement Zone bridges the gap between defence investment and supply-chain opportunity, with a sharp focus on SMEs and mid-tier businesses seeking to reach the market. It's anchored by £11bn on munitions and weapons stockpiles — including six new energetics factories by 2030 — and a drive to tackle £250m of supply-chain fraud and error.
Sessions cover making subcontracting work for smaller suppliers, building trust and visibility through Tier 2/3 relationships, and the practical routes into prime supply chains at BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Leonardo UK. There's also a close look at industrial surge capacity and supply-chain resilience after recent disruption.
Expect market intelligence on where the £298bn of defence spend is flowing and which buyers are active now, plus sub-tier mapping, single-source (SSRO) oversight, and the persistent 'missing middle' challenge that mid-tier suppliers keep running into.
£298bn of defence spend is flowing somewhere — this zone gives suppliers a buyer's-eye view of what makes a bid stand out, and realistic first-contract expectations for breaking into prime supply chains.
Connect with the people who buy
Getting Onto Prime Supply Chains
Practical entry points into prime supply chains at BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Leonardo UK, and realistic first-contract expectations for SMEs and Tier 2/3 suppliers.
The Munitions & Energetics Build-Out
£11bn of investment and six new energetics factories by 2030 — how chemical, process-engineering and materials suppliers can position for the munitions sourcing cycle ahead.
Market Intelligence & Assurance
Where the £298bn defence spend is flowing and which buyers are active now, plus sub-tier mapping, SSRO single-source oversight, and tackling the £250m of supply-chain fraud and error.
Get closer to your buyers
Join the Supply Chain & Market Engagement Zone at DPRTE Expo 2027, 23–24 March, Farnborough International.