Foreword by the Minister for Defence Procurement
In the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS) we set out our vision for a competitive, innovative, and world-class defence sector in the UK that supports and strengthens our Union and is able to give our Armed Forces the state-of-the art equipment that they need to meet the evolving threats that we face. We recognise that Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are at the heart of the vibrant and flexible UK defence industry supporting a wide variety of high quality jobs across the four nations of the United Kingdom. However, we also recognise that these smaller businesses face unique challenges and barriers preventing them from fulfilling their potential of delivering both defence capability and contributing to UK prosperity. In this plan, we will set out how we will further improve the engagement we have with SMEs, focusing on procurement models that are easier to navigate, a recognition of the role the MOD and its major suppliers play in supporting the whole of the defence supply chain and understanding how best to support innovation and exports for UK suppliers. We want cutting-edge and innovative suppliers to see defence as a priority market, enabling us to exploit the very latest technological advances to maintain the UK’s world-class Armed Forces’ battle winning edge. Key to this aim is making sure that SMEs have a fair opportunity to contribute to UK defence and security, and the ability to compete successfully in international markets. This plan sets out how we intend to do this. We published our first SME Action Plan in March 2019, and we have achieved significant progress. I am delighted to present this updated plan, following the publication of DSIS. It will help us deliver our vision of a vibrant, sustainable and competitive UK industrial base. Jeremy Quin MP,
Minister for Defence Procurement