Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • UKDI launched to harness innovative tech for UK Armed Forces

Defence

UKDI launched to harness innovative tech for UK Armed Forces

Today the UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) has been formally established and begins work to streamline delivery of innovative technology to British Armed Forces personnel.

Image by eyematter / copyright Shutterstock

UKDI will be the focal point for innovation within the Ministry of Defence (MoD), backed by a ringfenced annual budget of at least £400 million – supporting the government’s Plan for Change by driving defence as an engine for UK growth and creating high-skilled jobs in the dual-use technology sector.   

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

It follows the government committing to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% by 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament.  

The new body will simplify and streamline the innovation system within MoD – as outlined in last month’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR). It will take a new approach by moving quickly and decisively, using different ways of contracting, to enable UK companies to scale up innovative prototypes rapidly, by setting out a clear pathway, working with the rest of government, from initial production to manufacturing at scale.     

UKDI will make the UK a defence innovation leader, funding and supporting firms of all sizes to take state-of-the-art technology from the drawing board to the production line, and into the hands of our Armed Forces. It will ensure cutting-edge innovations get into the hands of our Armed Forces faster, enhancing military capability while driving economic growth.  

This announcement comes alongside another significant development, with UK Strategic Command being renamed as the Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC). This change reflects the Command’s evolved role and enhanced responsibilities following the SDR, particularly its leadership of the cyber domain, which the SDR demanded a greater focus on across defence and government as a whole. It also follows the MoD having to protect UK military networks against more than 90,000 ‘sub-threshold’ attacks in the last two years.      

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: "Defence is only as strong as the industry that stands behind it and through UKDI we’re putting innovation at the heart of our approach.    

"This shift represents a crucial part of our commitment to change defence, backing the high-growth UK firms developing pioneering technology of the future to boost our national security and make defence an engine for growth - fundamental to our Plan for Change and delivering on the SDR."

The new name firmly places leadership of this crucial domain for defence and the Armed Forces with the new Command. It also better represents CSOC’s ‘Lead Command’ responsibilities for those specialist capabilities critical to operational success, including Intelligence, Special Forces, deployed medical capabilities, and Command and Control through the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ).    

General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander, Cyber & Specialist Operations Command, said: "The transition to Cyber & Specialist Operations Command is far more than a change in name - it is a clear statement of purpose. It reflects our leadership in the cyber domain, the integration of specialist capabilities and our commitment to delivering effects across Defence. This new identity captures the essence of who we are: a community of experts, united by mission, operating at the forefront of modern warfare.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The defence sector is a major contributor to the UK economy, with the industry supporting over 430,000 jobs nationwide – equivalent to one in every 60 UK jobs. 

As part of UKDI’s launch, two key initiatives have been established:   

  • A new Rapid Innovation Team (RIT) enabling innovation at ‘wartime pace’ by utilising commercially available dual-use technology to address the most urgent operational problems.
  • Regional Engagement Teams across the UK to identify and support dual-use innovation from SMEs and academic spin-outs, delivering targeted outreach and business development support.

The SDR highlighted the rapidly evolving threat landscape and the critical need for the UK to maintain its technological edge. UKDI will play a pivotal role in implementing the SDR’s recommendations by breaking down barriers between defence and commercial innovation, ensuring that game-changing technologies can be rapidly identified, developed and deployed to the front line.   

The organisation has been formally established today and will develop over the next 12 months, with further design, transition and implementation work, while determining the optimal workforce structure needed to achieve its long-term ambitions. UKDI will be fully operational by July 2026.

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

Defence

GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

10 July 2025

GKN Aerospace has has signed a six-year follow-on contract with BAE Systems for continued manufacture of Eurofighter Typhoon transparencies at its Luton facility, through to the end of 2030.

Metis to supply Skyperion to NATO ally

Defence Security

Metis to supply Skyperion to NATO ally

10 July 2025

Metis has won a contract to supply a number of Skyperion drone detection systems to a NATO customer to provide the drone detect function as part of an integrated Counter Uncrewed Air Systems (C-UAS) capability.

ALL.SPACE unveils Hydra MAX

Defence Space

ALL.SPACE unveils Hydra MAX

10 July 2025

ALL.SPACE has revealed a major advancement in mobile satellite communications with the successful demonstration of Hydra MAX - the first network independent terminal of its kind to deliver ultra wideband communications to multiple satellites simultaneously.

BAE Systems assessed

Defence

BAE Systems assessed 'Awardable' for US DoD work in P1 Solutions Marketplace

9 July 2025

BAE Systems in collaboration with Defense Unicorns, have announced that their joint solution has achieved 'Awardable' status for US Department of Defense (DoD) work through the US Platform One (P1) Solutions Marketplace.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
Government unveils Team UK approach to defence

Defence

Government unveils Team UK approach to defence

8 July 2025

UK Government plans to deliver jobs across the country by unlocking the full economic potential of Britain's defence sector are being unveiled today.

Construction begins on SLA accommodation at RAF Cosford

Defence

Construction begins on SLA accommodation at RAF Cosford

8 July 2025

Construction has started on a new 50-bedroom Single Living Accommodation (SLA) block at RAF Cosford in Shropshire.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025