Defence Industry FAQs

We’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions submitted by our members. Drawing on our sessions with industry, collaborations with major suppliers, and the MOD, we have sought to answer the pressing questions of our network below.

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UK Defence Strategy | Understanding Defence Procurement | Securing Opportunities
Working with Buyers | Exporting in Defence

“Where is the UK’s headline defence strategy outlined?”

See the following documents:

The Integrated Review Refresh 2023, 'Responding to a more contested and volatile world', [Released 01.03.2023].
The Defence Command Paper 2023. 'Defence’s response to a more contested and volatile world', [Released 18.07.2023].

“What documents guide defence procurement in the UK?”

See the following documents:

MOD Procurement: An Overview, [Released 20.11.2023, Updated 05.03.2024].
The Integrated Procurement Model, [Released 28.02.2024].
MOD Procurement: Process, [Released 29.10.2020, Updated 15.02.2024].
MOD Acquisition: Pipeline, [Released 13.06.2024, Updated 23.11.2024].
The SME Action Plan, [Released 27.01.2024].
The Defence Supply Chain Strategy, [Released 15.11.2022].
The Defence and Security Industrial Strategy, [Released 23.03.2021, Updated 26.03.2021].
The Land Industrial Strategy, [Released 18.05.2022].
Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015, [Released 2015].

“What are the stages of the MOD’s tender process?”

The process is due to change in October 2024 following Procurement reforms, however, this is the current flow chart:

MOD tender process

“Where can I find out more about how to do business with defence?"

Access the 'Knowledge in Defence (KiD)' portal, (registration required). If you have any trouble accessing KiD, please email: dpas-aofteam@mod.gov.uk.

Log in to Defence Engage to watch our webinars available on-demand. Talk to us about access.

See the document 'Doing business with Defence', [Updated 05.03.2024].

“Where can I find UK Ministry of Defence contracts and procurement opportunities?”

The Defence Sourcing Portal (registration required)
UK Government Contracts Finder (includes cross-government opportunities)
Find a tender service
MOD Acquisition Pipeline
DIO – Defence Infrastructure Organisation Procurement Pipeline
On X (formerly Twitter) at @defenceproc
Defence Procurement on LinkedIn

“How can I stay up to date with changes to the way Defence works with industry?”

The Defence Suppliers Forum
The MOD Framework Library

Follow the below profiles on LinkedIn:

MOD
DASA
DE&S
Defence Procurement

“Where can I access innovation and/or accelerator opportunities?”

MOD Defence Innovation Directory
DASA – The Defence and Security Accelerator
- Competitions – See DASA on LinkedIn for updates
- Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP)
- Ideas Marketplace
- Market Exploration
- Innovation Loans
DSTL – The Defence Science Technology Laboratory
Innovate UK
NATO DIANA – Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic
- Accelerator Programme
Battlelabs
DE&S/ FCG – Futures Lab, new joiners briefings

“Where can I find out more about the importance of Social Value when supplying government departments like the MOD?”

Procurement Policy Note 06/20 - taking account of social value in the award of central government contracts

“Where can I go to find out more about cyber security requirements/ support in Defence?”

Defence Digital
The Cyber Security Model, [Released 30.03.2017, Updated 22.06.2018].
Secure by Design, [Released 28.02.2019, Updated 29.04.2023].
- Secure by Design Principles, [Updated 31.01.2024].
Log in to Defence Engage to watch our webinars available on-demand.
- Talk to us about access

“Who are the major defence suppliers to the UK MOD/ market?”

Airbus	Babcock	BAE Systems	Boeing	Capita
DXC	KBR	Leidos	Leonardo	Lockheed Martin
MBDA	QinetiQ	Raytheon	Rolls-Royce	Serco
	Thales		Ultra

Strategic Suppliers are continuing to develop dedicated SME landing pages to support access to new opportunities and information. Some of these pages are already live:

“How can I find more information about how to export in Defence?”

UKDSE – UK Defence and Security Exports
- Step-by-step guide to export goods
- UKDSE Export Faculty (registration required)
- UKDSE Export contacts
- UKDSE SME Support Team

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