Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • DASA initiative to accelerate innovative UK defence solutions

Defence

DASA initiative to accelerate innovative UK defence solutions

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has announced the launch of a new Early Market Engagement (EME) pilot initiative for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on the theme of Uncrewed Systems.

Image courtesy DASA

This pilot aims to collaboratively curate problems alongside industry and academia to determine whether a full competition in this area is required. The initial pilot will concentrate on two critical sub-systems of Uncrewed Systems:

Why is Early Market Engagement needed?
The MoD Innovation Directorate and Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) are collaborating with industry to improve Defence’s capacity to turn innovative solutions into needed capabilities. The EME pilot will collect insights from industry experts to better understand specific problem areas. This proactive strategy aims to challenge problems and identify potential solutions that could rapidly deliver capability for defence. The DASA Early Market Engagement initiative forms part of the MoD’s overall intent to improve its engagement with industry and market early on their capability challenges.

Advertisement
ODU RT

For prospective suppliers, participating in the EME workshops will provide an opportunity to understand, engage with and contribute to the MoD’s problem challenge areas. Although this does not guarantee that a competition will take place afterwards, this advance notice enables suppliers to consider the potential development of new or enhanced existing offerings.

Who can attend?
The EME workshops welcome participants from both industry and academia. Workshop attendance is limited to one person per company and the attendee must have a good understanding of the problem space and the relevant technology that their company has. The workshops will function as open forums, and participants must be prepared to engage in discussions. Please note that these workshops will be conducted at OFFICIAL classification.

You can find further details about the pilot and full details of the problem statements in the Early Market Engagement document.

Workshop dates and registration:
The EME workshops will take place in three locations over six dates as shown below, to apply to attend a workshop visit the Eventbrite page. Applications close at 12:00 midday on 31st October 2024 (GMT).

Advertisement
ODU RT

Bristol:
    Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT) - 19th November 2024
    Low-cost, Fast Engines - 20 November 2024

London:
    Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT) – 26th November 2024
    Low-cost, Fast Engines – 27 November 2024

Newcastle:
    Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT) - 12th November 2024
    Low-cost, Fast Engines - 13 November 2024

For more information read the full Early Market Engagement document to learn more.

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
MGI Engineering expands into Italy with Vigilar Group

Aerospace Defence Security

MGI Engineering expands into Italy with Vigilar Group

5 June 2026

Oxfordshire based MGI Engineering has entered into a strategic partnership with Vigilar Group, marking MGI’s expansion into Italy and a significant new phase of growth across Europe.

Janes awarded £17.5m Enterprise Agreement Lite by UK MoD

Defence

Janes awarded £17.5m Enterprise Agreement Lite by UK MoD

5 June 2026

Janes has been awarded a three-year Enterprise Agreement Lite (EAL), valued at up to £17.5 million, by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), to provide comprehensive, unclassified and up-to-date technical intelligence on military equipment across air, sea, land and space domains.

Farnborough International Airshow reveals first wave of 2026 flying display

Aerospace Defence Events

Farnborough International Airshow reveals first wave of 2026 flying display

4 June 2026

Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) has announced the first of many aircraft and teams taking part in its 2026 flying display, which is set to be its largest and most diverse in decades.

UTAC Special Vehicles produces 1,000th armoured vehicle

Defence Security

UTAC Special Vehicles produces 1,000th armoured vehicle

4 June 2026

UTAC Special Vehicles has reached the milestone of producing its 1,000th armoured vehicle at the division’s headquarters at Millbrook, Bedfordshire, UK.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advanced underwater tech to be developed for AUKUS forces

Defence

Advanced underwater tech to be developed for AUKUS forces

3 June 2026

Pioneering technologies deployed from uncrewed underwater vessels were announced by AUKUS Defence Ministers at a meeting in Singapore last weekend. which pushed forward progress in the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and US.

DSEI Germany adds fourth exhibition hall

Defence Security Space Events

DSEI Germany adds fourth exhibition hall

3 June 2026

The organisers of DSEI Germany have announced that, due to unprecedented industry demand, they will be opening a fourth exhibition hall ahead of its debut in March 2027.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner