Defence Summit 2026

NEW FOR 2026

Meet
The Buyer

Secure 1-2-1 meetings with Prime & Mid-Tier Contractors and Key Delivery Partners. Your direct route into the UK defence supply chain.

Register Your Place View Programme
1-2-1 Meetings
Prime Contractor Meetings Mid-Tier Opportunities Pre-Booked 1-2-1 Sessions Supply Chain Intelligence Commercial Outcomes SME-Friendly Format 22 October 2026 · Manchester Prime Contractor Meetings Mid-Tier Opportunities Pre-Booked 1-2-1 Sessions Supply Chain Intelligence Commercial Outcomes SME-Friendly Format 22 October 2026 · Manchester

Why It Matters

At a time of increased defence investment and procurement reform, early engagement is critical. Meet the Buyer enables you to:

Direct Buyer Access

Secure direct access to procurement teams and leading prime contractors shaping future programmes.

Identify Opportunities

Identify real supply chain opportunities aligned to upcoming defence programmes before they go to market.

Buyer Intelligence

Understand buyer requirements and expectations first-hand — information that's hard to get anywhere else.

Early Positioning

Position your organisation early in a competitive and evolving market before procurement decisions are made.

High-Value Relationships

Build relationships that extend well beyond the event and form the foundation for long-term commercial success.

Conversations to Contracts

This is where conversations begin that lead to contracts. Move from engagement to real commercial opportunity.

How It Works

01

Register

Secure your place at the summit

02

Select

Choose buyers aligned to your capabilities

03

Pre-Book

Confirm your 1-2-1 meeting schedule

04

Meet

Structured meetings with decision-makers

05

Grow

Convert conversations into contracts

Who You Will Meet

Prime Contractors

Tier 1 defence industry leaders

Meet senior representatives from the UK's leading prime contractors who are actively building and expanding their supply chains. Understand their capability requirements and how your organisation can become part of major defence programmes.

Mid-Tier Contractors

The most accessible gateway for SMEs

Mid-tier organisations are increasingly the most accessible and commercially immediate entry point into defence. Meet the organisations that are actively seeking capable suppliers and building their own delivery networks.

Delivery Partners

Key stakeholders across the procurement ecosystem

Engage with key delivery partners and stakeholders who play a critical role in shaping how programmes are delivered, managed and supplied. Participating organisations will be confirmed ahead of the event.

"This is where conversations begin
that lead to contracts."

Who Should Attend

Meet the Buyer is built for organisations ready to engage commercially with the UK defence sector.

SMEs & New Entrants

Suppliers looking to enter or expand within the UK defence supply chain for the first time.

Established Suppliers

Organisations seeking new supply chain opportunities and looking to grow their defence footprint.

Innovators & Tech Firms

Businesses aligned to AI, cyber, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

Commercially Ready

Organisations prepared to engage directly with defence buyers and move towards contracted opportunity.

Take the Next Step

Position your organisation within the UK defence supply chain.
Secure your 1-2-1 meetings. Deliver meaningful conversations. Unlock opportunity.

Register Your Place Today
22 Oct 2026 Kimpton Clocktower
Manchester
Meet the Buyer — DPRTE

Meet
the Buyer

Secure 1-2-1 meetings with MOD, Prime & Mid-Tier Contractors and Key Delivery Partners.

The Meet the Buyer programme is your direct route into the UK defence supply chain. Designed to move beyond networking, this is a structured opportunity to connect with buyers actively shaping procurement decisions, understand requirements, and position your organisation for upcoming defence contracts.

Register your place Access pre-booked 1-2-1 meetings with decision-makers
Why it matters

At a time of increased defence investment
and procurement reform, early engagement is critical.

Meet the Buyer enables you to:

  • Secure direct access to MOD procurement teams and leading prime contractors
  • Identify real supply chain opportunities aligned to upcoming defence programmes
  • Understand buyer requirements and expectations first-hand
  • Position your organisation early in a competitive and evolving market
  • Build high-value relationships that extend beyond the event

This is where conversations begin that lead to contracts.

Who you will meet

Decision-makers across the procurement ecosystem

You will have the opportunity to engage with representatives from:

  • Ministry of Defence (MOD) teams
  • Prime and Mid-Tier contractors
  • Defence delivery partners
  • Key stakeholders across the procurement ecosystem

Participating organisations will be confirmed ahead of the event, with opportunities to select and request meetings aligned to your business capabilities and priorities.

Who should attend

Built for organisations ready to engage

Meet the Buyer is designed for:

  • SMEs and suppliers looking to enter or expand within defence
  • Established organisations seeking new supply chain opportunities
  • Innovators aligned to areas such as AI, cyber, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing
  • Businesses ready to engage commercially with defence buyers
Part of the Defence Summit
UK National Defence Summit

Meet the Buyer forms a key part of the wider UK National Defence Summit programme, connecting policy, investment and procurement with real commercial opportunity.

From insight to engagement to contract — this is where your organisation moves forward.

Take the Next Step

Position your organisation within the UK defence supply chain.

Secure your 1-2-1 meetings. Deliver meaningful conversations. Unlock opportunity.

Register Your Place Today