Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Defence Minister and industry leaders commit to closer collaboration

Defence Events

Defence Minister and industry leaders commit to closer collaboration

Defence Minister Stuart Andrew has joined industry leaders at the Defence Suppliers Forum today to make a series of landmark commitments that will promote more effective joint working and boost productivity.



Above:
(left to right) Defence Minister Stuart Andrew and Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems.
Crown Copyright

The companies and the Minister signed a joint document, named ‘Vision 2025’, which includes new pledges from both parties to improve the productivity of the UK defence sector and ensure the armed forces obtain the capabilities they need in the future.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

After welcoming remarks from the Defence Minister and Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive of BAE Systems, attendees took part in sessions focused on boosting defence exports, encouraging innovation within the defence industry and accelerating the inclusion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the market.


Crown Copyright

The Defence Minister also unveiled the MoD’s SME Action Plan at the event, setting out the department’s commitment to supporting smaller businesses across the defence supply chain. Developed with input from businesses, industry bodies and Trade Associations, the SME Action Plan includes a range of measures to increase the MOD’s procurement spend with SMEs by removing barriers to entry to the defence market. The Plan sets an ambitious target to spend 25% of the MOD’s total procurement budget with SMEs by 2022.

Speaking at the Defence Suppliers Forum, Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said: "Vision 2025 represents a significant evolution in government-industry collaboration. By committing to work together more closely, we will ensure our armed forces continue to benefit from world-leading capabilities while driving up value-for-money for UK taxpayers.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

"Small and medium-sized businesses will play a crucial role in delivering our future military capability, so I am delighted to endorse the publication of our SME Action Plan today. Engaging with smaller and innovative suppliers will help create a more resilient supply chain while boosting local economies and creating jobs."

Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems, said: "The UK Defence Sector has a long history of successful collaborative working with customers and partners.

"Vision 2025 will help ensure that we remain best placed to design, deliver and maintain the world class defence capabilities that the Armed Forces need and deserve."

The defence industry in the UK supports 260,000 jobs and contributed £9bn in exports in 2017. The MoD invested £18.9 billion with UK industry in 2017/18, equating to £290 per resident.


 

Advertisement
Cranfield University
MoD campaign highlights impact of public interruption to military training

Defence

MoD campaign highlights impact of public interruption to military training

18 July 2025

Soldiers sprinting through a salon, abseiling into gyms and crawling through offices feature in a striking new campaign by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), turning the tables on the issue of public interruptions to military training exercises.

UAS launched munitions set to combat air and ground targets

Defence

UAS launched munitions set to combat air and ground targets

18 July 2025

For the first time, BAE Systems has launched a precision munition from a multi-rotor Uncrewed Air System (UAS) and successfully destroyed both air and ground targets during trials in the US.

UK

Defence

UK's combat air flying demonstrator revealed

17 July 2025

Industry partners, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and MBDA UK, together with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), have revealed the design of the UK’s flagship Combat Air Flying Demonstrator, as the aircraft reaches a major milestone, with two thirds of its structural weight now in manufacturing.

Scottish defence dividend investment launched

Defence

Scottish defence dividend investment launched

16 July 2025

Scottish Secretary and Minister for Defence Procurement & Industry have visited HMNB Clyde to launch the multidecade, multibillion-pound Clyde 2070 programme.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Captec to showcase next-gen computing at DSEI

Defence Events

Captec to showcase next-gen computing at DSEI

16 July 2025

As the defence landscape continues to evolve at pace, with technological advances reshaping mission requirements and placing increasing demands on deployed computing systems, computing specialist Captec will be showcasing next-generation computing platforms at DSEI 2025 (9th–12th September 2025, Excel London).

SkyShark takes flight

Defence Security

SkyShark takes flight

16 July 2025

MGI Engineering, a company forged in the fast-paced world of Formula 1, has officially unveiled SkyShark, a next-generation military drone platform designed to transform battlefield operations with speed, precision and UK-built sovereignty.

Advertisement
ODU RT