Security & Defence
The UK is committed to spending a minimum 2% of GDP on defence over the next decade, and at least 20% of that spending on equipment. This commitment represents spending some £186 billion on defence equipment and support in the ten years from 2018/19. In addition, the UK is the second largest defence exporter, winning defence orders worth £14 billion (2018).
Security & Defence
To maintain the safety and security of both the public and visitors to the UK, police, intelligence agencies and the private security sector is supported by a vibrant UK SME security sector which is a global leader in a wide range of products and services who supported the export of over £5.2M goods and services (2018). Globally, the security market – cyber security included – exhibits continued growth and is projected to reach £150 billion by 2022.
There are many innovative solutions developed for, and applicable to the defence and security sectors. Our team can help you navigate this landscape by signposting funding opportunities, offering advice, providing guidance and introducing beneficial connections.
Companies developing products, services or innovation that are applicable to defence or security sectors and work in areas like cIoT, Data science/AI/ML, Forensics, Detection and screening technologies, Cryptography, Synthetic biology and chemistry, Radiological and nuclear, UAV/drones, sensors, behavioural science, human enhancement, energy storage, advanced materials and electronics, space and Earth Observation, surveillance and intelligence, logistics, command and control.
Click here to see open funding opportunities in the security & defence sector.

Our current focus in this area
Current Security & Defence funding opportunities
Privacy Enhancing Technologies Challenge Prize
Opens: 20/07/2022 Closes: 19/09/2022
The aim of this competition is to develop innovative privacy-preserving solutions that address one or both of the specific challenge use cases in financial crime or public health.
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DASA Competition: Engineering Biology for Defence and Security
Opens: 20/06/2022 Closes: 25/08/2022
Dstl is seeking highly innovative approaches to understand the contribution that engineering biology can make to Defence Capability in materials, power, energy and sensing.
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The Defence Technology Exploitation Programme
Opens: 08/08/2022 Closes: 31/12/2023
The Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) aims to inspire companies to win new business, develop industrial capabilities, and provide new cutting-edge answers to defence problems at home and abroad, ensuring the UK expands its competitive, pioneering and world-class defence and security i
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Related Events and Recordings
Wed
16
Jun
2021
Wed
2
Mar
2022
Thu
4
Aug
2022
UK Privacy Enhancing Technologies Challenge Prize Competition Briefing
10.00 - 12.00 | Online
Watch Now
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05/08/2022
Orpheus Cyber: using machine learning to combat cyber threats
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