Critical National
Infrastructure
A brand-new zone reflecting the growing convergence between defence procurement and CNI investment — spanning energy, communications, space and transport. Backed by £790m for homeland and overseas base protection (radars, sensors, Directed Energy Weapons, counter-drone systems and a new Integrated Air, Space and Missile Defence Operations Centre) and £115m on AI safety and biosecurity resilience.
Where defence meets the infrastructure the nation can't do without
New for 2027, the Critical National Infrastructure Zone reflects the growing convergence between defence procurement and CNI investment — spanning energy, communications, space and transport. It's backed by £790m for homeland and overseas base protection, covering radars, sensors, Directed Energy Weapons, counter-drone systems and a new Integrated Air, Space and Missile Defence Operations Centre, alongside £115m for AI safety and biosecurity resilience.
Sessions cover the radar, sensor, DEW and counter-UAS build-out protecting bases at home and abroad; the £330m Critical Underwater Infrastructure programme safeguarding subsea cables and pipelines; and space as critical infrastructure, with the UK's space budget now at £3.2bn and growing.
Expect a candid look at cyber-physical threats and grey-zone, sub-threshold sabotage, national-scale resilience exercises, and the funding models that decide who pays and who protects across government, regulated industry and private operators.
Defence and CNI are no longer separate worlds. As threats to subsea cables, satellites and the base estate grow, £790m of homeland-protection funding — plus £115m on AI and biosecurity — is opening real opportunities for radar, sensor, counter-UAS, DEW, C2 and cyber/biosecurity firms.
Protecting the infrastructure behind the front line
Homeland & Base Protection
The radar, sensor, Directed Energy Weapon and counter-UAS build-out defending bases at home and overseas, plus the new Integrated Air, Space and Missile Defence Operations Centre.
Undersea & Space Infrastructure
Protecting the undersea backbone — subsea cables and pipelines under the £330m Critical Underwater Infrastructure programme — and space as critical infrastructure, with the UK's £3.2bn space budget safeguarding satellites and sovereign assets.
Cyber-Physical Resilience & Funding
Grey-zone and sub-threshold sabotage, national-scale resilience exercises, and the funding models deciding who pays and who protects across government, regulated industry and private operators.
Be part of the conversation
Join the Critical National Infrastructure Zone at DPRTE Expo 2027, 23–24 March, Farnborough International.