Procurement at MOD
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-20)

Doing business with defence: information for those looking to become a supplier or contractor.

Defence Office for Defence Small Business Growth

A new office will be established by late January 2026 to help Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups to access the defence supply chain and scale up to meet defence challenges. The Office will:
- help the MOD implement procurement strategies that provide opportunity for SMEs to win work within the supply chain
- help prime suppliers provide a more consistent and supportive experience for SMEs within their supply chains
- provide better access to opportunities through equality of information and market engagement (a delivery route for industry’s request for a stronger demand signal)
- improve advice and support to SMEs on export matters
- provide a confidential channel for SMEs to raise concerns or discuss the unique challenges they face
- better cohere UK Defence Sector Supplier Development and scale up support across Government, trade associations and prime suppliers
- support SMEs to gain access to financial and growth capital
All of this will streamline and cohere SME support into a single place, making access easier and simpler, and increasing the opportunities for SME participation. The Office, combined with SME representation on the Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC), will work to ensure the SME voice is present in the implementation of this strategy.

What the MOD procures

The MOD buys equipment, products and services from a variety of procurement organisations (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ministry-of-defence-procurement-organisations).

MOD supply chain opportunities

Register at the following free-to-access websites to view live contract opportunities:

The Defence Sourcing Portal (https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/ogc-host/public/mod/web/login.html?VISITORID=db04f50a-93cc-4862-8dfa-6ebaa328604b&_ncp=1726220315608.1329380-1) (DSP) hosts all of MOD’s advertised requirements. You can tailor your notifications from DSP by selecting appropriate category codes.

Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder) lets you search for information about contracts worth over £12,000 (including VAT) with the government and its agencies.

Register for the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender (https://www.gov.uk/find-tender) to search and apply for high-value contracts in the UK’s public and utilities sectors. High-value contracts are usually above £139,688 including VAT.

MOD Acquisition Pipeline (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-acquisition-pipeline) is a forward look of potential procurement activity and Framework Agreements at MOD.

MOD works closely with the following strategic suppliers:

Airbus (https://www.airbus.com/en/be-an-airbus-supplier)

Babcock (https://www.babcockinternational.com/who-we-are/suppliers/)

BAE (https://www.baesystems.com/en/sustainability/supply-chain-sustainability/social-value/working-with-small-and-diverse-businesses)

Boeing (https://www.boeingsuppliers.com/)

Capita (https://www.capita.com/about-capita/contact-us)

General Dynamics (https://www.gd.com/suppliers)

KBR (https://supplier.kbr.com/?ReturnUrl=%2f)

Leidos (https://www.leidos-supply.uk/)

Leonardo (https://uk.leonardo.com/en/suppliers)

Lockheed Martin (https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/suppliers.html)

MBDA (https://www.mbda-systems.com/suppliers/small-medium-sized-entreprise/)

QinetiQ (https://www.qinetiq.com/en/our-company/suppliers-and-smes)

Raytheon (https://www.raytheon.co.uk/)

Serco (https://www.serco.com/uk/about/suppliers)

Rolls-Royce (https://www.rolls-royce.com/)

Thales (https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/supplier)

DXC Technology (https://dxc.com/uk/en)

MOD’s strategic suppliers are encouraged to advertise subcontracting opportunities through the DSP.

Information for new suppliers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

The MOD does not maintain preferred supplier lists and is always keen to attract new entrants to the supply chain. In addition to being registered on the DSP and Central Digital Platform, there are various ways to make your company visible to defence:
- Join the Hellios SME Portal (https://hellios.com/sme-portal), created in collaboration with JOSCAR. The free portal aims to improve visibility of SMEs to buyers across the defence, aerospace and security sectors.
- DSTL’s SME Searchlight (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-science-and-technology-laboratory-launches-sme-searchlight-to-harness-innovation) initiative helps SMEs and non-traditional defence suppliers to work in Defence Research. Sign up for the latest webinar (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/dstl-searchlight-31186857469).
- Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) ideas marketplace (https://community.dasa.service.mod.uk/ideasmarketplace/IdeasHubLanding?id=a2p3z000001GGtHAAW) allows your company to share ideas, discuss and collaborate with like-minded users.
- Consider joining a trade association (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mod-engagement-with-trade-associations). The MOD works closely with trade associations to support the defence industry, identifying businesses that can help to resolve strategic issues.
- The Joint Security and Resilience Centre (JSaRC) (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-security-and-resilience-centre-jsarc) are able to make your achievements better known across the security sector. The centre was founded by the Home Office and sits within the Homeland Security Group.
- BattleLab (https://defencebattlelab.com/) can offer business support services, trials and experimentation space.
- The UKDSE Export Faculty (https://www.events.great.gov.uk/website/5999/) is a free online resource dedicated to offering tailored information, advice, and support for UK SMEs in the defence, security, and cyber security sectors.
- Follow the MOD’s Defence Procurement LinkedIn channel (https://uk.linkedin.com/company/defence-procurement) to stay up to date with upcoming industry engagement events, news and more.
- Access bid writing support for SMEs (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/doing-business-with-government-a-guide-for-smes#tips-for-smes-bidding-for-government-contracts).
- Knowledge in Defence (KiD) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/knowledge-in-defence-kid) offers information for businesses new to defence.
- The DIANA Accelerator Programme (https://www.diana.nato.int/accelerator-programme.html) provides businesses with the skills and knowledge to navigate the world of deep tech and dual-use innovation.
- Technology providers should visit the Commercial X website (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ministry-of-defence-commercial-commercial-x). Commercial X teams acquire innovative military capability and work with suppliers to address entry barriers to MOD for SMEs.
Regional defence and security clusters

MOD engages with regional defence and security clusters. These clusters allow industry and government to share ideas, promoting collaboration and commercialisation. MOD currently works with:
- South West Regional Defence and Security Cluster (https://southwestrdsc.co.uk/)
- East Regional Defence & Security Cluster (https://www.eastrdsc.co.uk/)
- Western Regional Defence & Security Cluster (https://wrdsc.co.uk/)
- Greater Lincolnshire Defence and Security Cluster (https://www.greaterlincolnshirerdsc.com/)
- London Regional Defence and Security Cluster (https://londonrdsc.co.uk/)
- North East Regional Defence and Security Cluster (https://nerdsc.co.uk/)
- North West Regional Defence and Security Cluster (https://northwestrdsc.co.uk/)
- South Central Regional Defence and Security Cluster (https://www.hants.gov.uk/business/southcentralrdsc)
Accelerating Commercial Pathways

The Accelerating Commercial Pathways (ACP) programme has been launched to drive substantial changes to our commercial ways of working and culture, in collaboration with our industry partners.

These pathways are improving MOD’s ability to exploit the full range of commercial approaches, including harnessing the flexibilities and opportunities presented by the Procurement Act, to drive pace and innovation into procurements.

The programme is actively supporting teams to use the commercial mechanisms that support our industrial strategy and the markets we operate in, underpinning our new segmented approach.

This focuses on improving commercial ways of working to involve industry far earlier and encouraging greater collaboration between MOD and suppliers during the procurement process to enable pace, adaptability, experimentation and innovation.

This will include use of Design to Cost/Time approaches which will provide suppliers with greater transparency from the start to improve delivery and reduce waste, as well as an SME Pathway to reduce the barriers and increase opportunities for SMEs to bid for MOD work.

More information on these pathways can be found in the Commercial Toolkit (https://www.kid.mod.uk/maincontent/business/commercial/content/topics/pathways.htm?zoom_highlight=pathways).

Framework agreements

A framework agreement is a contract between the buyer and a qualified group of suppliers. It details the overarching terms and conditions against which the buyer may place orders or tasks. Framework agreements provide an efficient means of procuring when requirements arise on a regular basis, combining the benefits of reduced costs and enhanced buying power.

Terms and conditions vary by framework to reflect what is being purchased. It is the responsibility of the supplier to decide which frameworks they want to be involved with, and the responsibility of MOD to use the most appropriate framework to support their procurement.

MOD framework opportunities, such as the Neutral Vendor Framework for Innovation (https://www.constellia.com/solutions/public-sector-solutions/neutral-vendor-framework-for-innovation-nvfi/) and Engineering Delivery Partner (EDP) (https://www.qinetiq.com/en/what-we-do/services-and-products/edp) are published on the DSP. MOD also procures through Crown Commercial Service (https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/?gad_campaignid=xx-xxxx-xxxx&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiuHC06j4jgMVt5NQBh0eSgUBEAAYASAAEgJE-vD_BwE) Frameworks.

In addition to traditional procurement frameworks, suppliers of science and technology research can sign up to R-Cloud (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/r-cloud) to access opportunities from across the MOD.

Government grants and funding

The Department for Business and trade has developed a list of available finance and support for your business (https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support).

Apply for funding from UK Research and Innovation (https://www.ukri.org/) (UKRI).

Apply for funding from DASA (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/apply-for-funding).

Export guidance and sanctions

UK Defence and Security Exports (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-defence-and-security-exports) helps UK defence, cyber and physical security, and civil maritime companies to export.

To export goods from the UK, access the SME export toolkit (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-advice-for-smes-doing-business-in-the-uk-and-overseas/doing-business-in-the-uk-toolkit-for-small-businesses#other-support-available-for-smes) and follow this step-by-step process (https://www.gov.uk/export-goods).

Apply for an export or trade licence with SPIRE (https://www.spire.trade.gov.uk/spire/fox/espire/LOGIN/login), the online export licensing system. You will need to be aware of UK sanctions regimes (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-sanctions-regimes-under-the-sanctions-act) and how they might impact your export opportunities.

Other useful sources of information on sanctions are:
- The UK sanctions list (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list)
- Export controls for military goods, software and technology (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-controls-military-goods-software-and-technology)
- Export controls for dual-use items, goods for torture and radioactive sources (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-controls-dual-use-items-software-and-technology-goods-for-torture-and-radioactive-sources)
MOD supplier payments

The government aims to pay 90% of undisputed and valid invoices from SMEs within 5 days. Additionally, 100% of all undisputed and valid invoices should be paid within 30 days.

MOD’s supplier payment information can be found here (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministry-of-defence-supplier-invoicing-and-payment-information). For FY 2023/24, average payment within 5 days was 89.13%, and average payment within 30 days was 99.29%.

Report a procurement concern

The Public Procurement Review Service (PPRS) sits within the Cabinet Office and allows government suppliers (and potential government suppliers) to raise concerns anonymously about poor public sector procurement practice.

Email PPRS if you have a concern about a procurement process or a problem with payment on a public contract: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

PPRS report on the trends in the issues raised and makes recommendations on how to improve, and publish monthly results from their investigations (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mystery-shopper-results-2018) .

Contact us

The information on this page is maintained by the MOD’s Industry Collaboration and Strategic Supplier Engagement team. Please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) if you have any questions not addressed on this page.