The MOD is represented by the Doing Business with Defence Team - helping suppliers access opportunities and innovation in the Defence supply chain.

From the procurement of clothes to carriers, food to fighter jets, we ensure our UK military customers – the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force – have the equipment and support they need to carry out their duties effectively. We also manage the recruitment for our sister organisation – the Submarine Delivery Agency.

The Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) is the primary MOD-industry engagement mechanism for matters of mutual strategic interest. It enables ongoing strategic engagement between the MOD and its suppliers, including Primes, Mid-Tiers, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The DSF delivers against a set of Aims and Objectives aligned to the Defence Command Paper Refresh, collaboratively tackling shared challenges including supply chain bottlenecks and skills shortages. As well as its standing programme of work, the DSF supports agile joint government/industry responses to emerging issues and opportunities. Any suppliers not already attending the DSF’s bi-monthly Communications Forum are encouraged to register their interest by contacting the DSF Programme Management Office.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is the science inside UK defence and security. Dstl is an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) providing world class expertise and delivering cutting-edge science and technology for the benefit of the nation and allies. Dstl is one of the principal government organizations dedicated to science and technology in the defence and security field. Dstl supplies specialist services to MOD and wider government, working collaboratively with external partners in industry and academia worldwide, providing expert research, specialist advice and invaluable operational support.

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) finds and funds exploitable innovations which support defence and security faster and more effectively, and seeks to generate economic value for the UK. We are part of the Defence Innovation Directorate in the Ministry of Defence and are co-located with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down. Our vision is for the UK to maintain its strategic advantage over its adversaries through the most innovative defence and security capabilities in the world. We have learned that by reaching out to innovators across the UK and beyond we can encourage and support the brightest and best to put forward feasible ideas to solve our problems. Our refreshed strategy for 2021-2024 builds on our learning as we continue to strengthen and broaden links to innovators across the UK and elsewhere.

DIO plays a vital role in supporting the UK’s Armed Forces by building, maintaining and servicing the infrastructure needed to support defence, and is responsible for enabling defence people to live, work, train and deploy at home and overseas.

A part of Strategic Command, Defence Digital has an important role within the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in the age of information warfare. Defence Digital is responsible for making sure that effective digital and information technology (D&IT) is put into the hands of the military and business front line. It is guided by the D&IT Functional strategy.

Government and Industry collaboration to protect the Defence Supply Chain. There are now two workstreams: Cyber Security Model: A risk-based proportionate approach to protecting the supply chain. Suppliers are required to meet the security controls in Def Stan 05-138. Version 4 will be coming out later this year. Secure by Design: Securing capabilities through continuous risk management (and an end to MOD Accreditation).

The UK DSE team is responsible for maximising defence, security and cyber security exports and foreign direct investment to realise the potential of UK companies. We: • help UK defence and security industries export their products • maintain relationships with overseas governments to promote British defence and security products • work with the MOD and industry to ensure defence and security products have export potential • provide UK defence and security companies with specialist support to sell their goods At the DPRTE exhibition we will be keen to promote the DSE Export Faculty, which focuses on pro¬viding information, advice and support tailored to the UK Defence, Security and Cyber Security sectors. As a member of the Faculty, UK companies will receive notification of our forthcoming events, explore new export opportunities, find contact information and also get exclusive access to our growing library of past webinars. Our vision is for the DSE Export Faculty to be a community for SMEs in this sector. Sharing best practice, profiling successes and utilis¬ing the opportunities to expand international growth.

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) is part of the Department for Business and Trade which administers the UK’s system of export controls and licensing for military and dual-use items. ECJU’s mission is to promote global security through strategic export controls, facilitating responsible exports. They aim to deliver an efficient, rigorous and customer-friendly export licensing and compliance service. ECJU will be exhibiting on UKDSE’s stand, so please come to their stand if you have any questions.

Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. We drive productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas, including those from the UK’s world-class research base. With a strong business focus, we drive growth by working with companies to de-risk, enable and support innovation. We connect businesses to the partners, customers and investors that can help them turn ideas into commercially successful products and services and business growth. We fund business and research collaborations to accelerate innovation and drive business investment into research and development. Our support is available to businesses across all economic sectors, value chains and UK regions. Since 2007, we have invested around £2.5 billion to help businesses across the country to innovate, with match funding from industry taking the total value of projects above £4.3 billion. We have helped 8,500 organisations create around 70,000 jobs and added an estimated £18 billion of value to the UK economy. KTN connects ideas, people and communities to drive innovation that changes lives. KTN exists to connect innovators with new partners and new opportunities beyond their existing thinking – accelerating ambitious ideas into real-world solutions. We work in close partnership with Innovate UK and UKRI to support businesses in their innovation journey, including identifying strategic goals and innovation pathways, and deliver a rich annual portfolio of activities at regional, national and global level. We amplify the value and impact of public sector interventions through delivering a rich activity portfolio in support of public sector programmes addressing market and system failures, especially around network failures and information asymmetry. With 200 staff across the UK, deep technical sector expertise, and over 43,000 organisations in our network, we are specialists in creating critical mass by convening innovation communities and transversing traditional sector boundaries. Our team of experienced and trusted experts have unparalleled depth and breadth in their sectors combined with a set of powerful products to assist your organisation to understand complex markets, key technological drivers and potential future issues to give you a distinct advantage whether you are looking to improve your position in an established sector or wanting to seek new opportunities where the road ahead looks promising but confusing. KTN can give you the clarity to progress and succeed.

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) plays an important role helping the UK public sector save money when buying common goods and services. We are the biggest public procurement organisation in the UK. We use our commercial expertise to help buyers in central government and across the public and third sectors to purchase everything from locum doctors and laptops to police cars and electricity. The collective purchasing power of our customers, plus our procurement knowledge, means we can get the best commercial deals in the interests of taxpayers.

The Commercial function provides independent professional judgement on commercial and procurement matters to meet the business need, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and guidance, and driving value for the customer. We are also involved in the end-to-end procurement process as the owner of the commercial strategy and a key contributor to the procurement strategy. We are the only function authorised to contractually commit the department.

The British Army protects the United Kingdom's interests at home and abroad, providing a safe and secure environment in which all British citizens can live. Army Commercial support the Army in the purchase of goods and services to enable them to achieve their objectives. The team attending DPRTE this year are from the Rapid Acquisition Team, part of Military Capability Delivery area of the Programmes Directorate in Army HQ.

Navy Commercial Navy Commercial is part of MOD and the wider Government Commercial Function (GCF). We support Navy Command in the purchase of goods and services and endeavour to protect the individual and MOD from unintentional contractual commitments with Industry. We are here to advise upon and manage the Commercial elements of the Procurement Process and are licensed to contract for Navy requirements where they fall within our delegation or cannot be met by existing MOD wide Commercial arrangements. Business Partnering is core to our customer engagement activities. Our Commercial Business Partners (BPs) are at the heart of what we do and act as senior commercial advisors to our customers. Working with dedicated Pre-Sourcing support, they help understand, shape and manage your requirements through to our Delivery teams in sourcing and contract management The Navy Commercial Vision To be an integrated and respected voice in Command decision making; injecting pace and flexibility, balancing risk and opportunity, and shaping relationships with industry and MOD delivery agents.

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At the SDA, it’s our people that make us great. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to – whether that’s alongside project teams with a shared vision or as part of an employee network of like-minded individuals. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

ADS is the UK trade association advancing leadership in aerospace, defence, security and space, to enable prosperity and clean, secure growth for our nation. ADS are proud to represent well over 1,300 members from the UK’s innovative, entrepreneurial and prosperous aerospace, defence, security, and space sectors. We work with those sectors to secure the UK’s advantage, enhance our international positioning as a go-to destination for innovation and deliver on our sustainable leadership goals. Whether representing industry, connecting our members with business opportunities or driving forward innovation and growth, ADS is at the forefront of an array of activities, events and programmes that benefit our members.

techUK is the trade association which brings together people, companies and organisations to realise the positive outcomes of what digital technology can achieve. With over 940 members (the majority of which are SMEs) across the UK, techUK creates a network for innovation and collaboration across business, government and stakeholders to provide a better future for people, society, the economy and the planet. By providing expertise and insight, we support our members, partners and stakeholders as they prepare the UK for what comes next in a constantly changing world.

Make UK Defence is a national not-for-profit, member owned defence trade association, part of Make UK – the manufacturers’ organisation. We champion and support the UK’s innovative and diverse defence manufacturers and the wider defence supply chain. Guided by our member Advisory and Policy Boards, our mission is simple: • to have a deep understanding of our members and their challenges, within the context of the domestic and global defence industry • to celebrate and amplify the success of the UK defence supply chain, whilst ensuring our members’ challenges and concerns are clearly heard and acted upon in Government and the Defence Primes • to help our members grow through networking and Meet the Buyer opportunities • to help our members improve their business and operational performance through our Competitive Advantage Programme The Ministry of Defence is the only government department to have been awarded a 4 year spending settlement and a budget increase of £16.5b. With the renewed focus across Government and specifically the MOD on UK Prosperity, social value and levelling up, together with a renewed focus on winning overseas defence exports, there really has never been a better time to join the rapidly growing Make UK Defence and maximise your chances of success. Together, we are helping to build an innovative, forward looking, internationally competitive UK defence supply chain. makeuk.org/defence

AWE’s mission is to support the defence and security of the United Kingdom (UK). We do this through developing, manufacturing and maintaining the warheads for the UK’s nuclear deterrent, as well as providing our unique skills and expertise to support nuclear threat reduction.

At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of more than 93,000 people in around 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 77,000 employees on five continents. The Group is investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – Big Data, artificial intelligence, connectivity, cybersecurity and quantum technology – to build a future we can all trust. In the markets of defence and security, aerospace and space, digital identity and security, and transport, Thales provides solutions, services and products to help its customers – companies, organisations and governments – to carry out their critical missions.

MBDA is the only European group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems to meet the whole range of current and future needs of the three armed forces.

Airbus is a leader in designing, manufacturing and delivering aerospace products, services and solutions to customers on a worldwide scale. With around 134,000 employees and as the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe and a worldwide leader, Airbus is at the forefront of the aviation industry. We build the most innovative commercial aircraft and consistently capture about half of all commercial airliner orders. Thanks to our deep understanding of changing market needs, customer focus and technological innovation, we offer products that connect people and places via air and space.

Babcock is an international defence company operating in our focus countries of the UK, Australasia, Canada, France and South Africa, with exports to additional markets with potential to become focus countries. We meet our customers' key requirements of affordability, availability, and capability by delivering engineering, support and critical systems to defence and civil markets.

Noah's Ark Media is a media representative company which manages advertising related matters for MOD publications - Desider and RAF News.

Women in Defence UK – accelerating gender equity in defence. What we do? Motivated by Emmeline Pankhurst’s famous quote ‘Deeds not Words’, we work with our defence public and private sector Partners to help to make gender equity a reality. How do we do that? We inspire through our annual Awards that recognise and celebrate all individuals working in defence of the UK, we challenge senior leaders on their equity, diversity and inclusion plans through one on one interviews, we offer mentoring for women through our groundbreaking cross sector mentoring programme and we work with our Partners to create a Critical Mass of knowledge and leading practice to help move the dial on gender equity. We work alongside Women in Defence Careers who support us and the Women in Defence Charter to build a critical mass of women in the sector. The Women in Defence Charter was launched in 2019 and represents a commitment by the defence sector to work together to build a more gender balanced environment. It is a collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, defence industry and Women in Defence UK. Organisations that sign the Charter are committing to be the very best at driving inclusion and diversity within their organisations and providing fair opportunities for women to succeed at all levels. A balanced workforce is good for government and good for business, good for customers and consumers, for profitability and workplace culture, for promoting prosperity and stability, and for showing everyone matters in building stronger and more peaceful communities. The Charter has an ambition that 30% of roles at all levels in defence will be filled by women by 2030, yet recognises that each company or organisation should set its own target to reflect where it is on that journey.

In a world where unity is strength, Women Empowering Defence stands as a beacon of solidarity and empowerment. We are a collective force, uniting individuals across the Defence and Security Sector, with a shared mission to champion gender equality and celebrate the diverse achievements of women. Women Empowering Defence isn’t just another organisation; it’s a movement. It’s a call to arms for every woman that has ever felt the need for genuine community, support, and an environment that fosters growth and inspiration. Our organisation is built on the foundation of mutual respect, inclusivity, and a steadfast commitment to breaking down barriers. We are here to challenge biases, to shine a light on the accomplishments of women in our sector, and to inspire meaningful change. While our primary focus is on empowering women, we believe in the strength of inclusivity. We’re not just a women-only network. We welcome our male colleagues to both contribute to and benefit from the network. Inclusivity is our strength, not divisiveness or exclusivity. By actively showcasing women's achievements, we promote diversity and inclusion in the wider community and within our network. This encourages other organisations and community groups to follow suit, fostering a culture of inclusivity and equal opportunities for women in various domains. Together, we are not just shaping the present, but we are also crafting a more inclusive and equitable future. Join us as we stand together, breaking barriers, inspiring change, and shaping a future where everyone can thrive.

CIPS, the global membership organisation for procurement and supply. With 60,000 members spanning 156 countries and offices across the world, we’re building a global network to power our profession. We lead in education and training. We provide information and tools. And we help build capability within organisations. Through all our work, we are the voice and standard.

Service Graphics are the UK’s leading brand for the production of large-format graphics and display solutions. We create visual experiences that connect people with brands. Our teams specialise in Exhibitions, Events, Museums, Luxury Brands, Retail, Sports and Property delivering stand-out graphics that engage audiences, visitors and customers alike

Defence Contracts International is a market-leading business intelligence solution, delivered by one of Europe’s leading experts in procurement – BiP Solutions. We are trusted by the UK and many other governments globally to help them improve their defence and security procurement capabilities. We help thousands of suppliers of all shapes and sizes to win UK and international tenders. Start winning more defence sector business through access to tailored opportunities, competitor insights and market analysis with our cutting-edge end-to-end business intelligence platform. Grow your revenue. Increase your market share. Get a return on your investment.

PASS provides expert public procurement training and support for both public and private sector organisations. Whether your goal is to maximise efficiencies or increase your organisation’s chances of tendering success, PASS will ensure you are equipped with the knowledge you need. Discover how you can Learn, Develop and Accomplish with PASS.

At Cadence Marketing, we understand the importance of data in the public sector and have built a comprehensive database of over 200,000 contacts across 31,600 organisations, including Central Government, Local Government, NHS, Education, MOD, and Emergency Services. We love helping businesses connect with public sector buyers through targeted marketing solutions. Whether you’re looking to boost your email campaigns, do some market research, host a webinar, or create some killer content, we’ve got you covered. Reach the right people, stay up-to-date, make informed decisions and improve your win rate.

Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed and industry-supported scheme that helps businesses protect themselves against the growing threat of cyber attacks and provides a clear statement of the basic controls organisations should have in place to protect them. Gaining Cyber Essentials certification enables organisations to showcase their credentials as trustworthy and secure when it comes to cyber security.

Defence Online, a digital marketing and communication company under BiP Solutions, offers advertising and marketing solutions to organisations to promote themselves and connect with key decision makers across various high-value and influential sectors, including Construction, Defence, and Health. It is one of the fastest-growing communities of defence sector buyers and influencers in the UK, providing up-to-date news, insight, and intelligence to enhance knowledge and understanding of the evolving marketplace. Defence Online has a range of sector-based solutions designed to assist businesses in developing in both existing and new market sectors, connecting them with a marketplace worth over £19 billion annually in the UK alone.