# UK MOD Launches Defence Procurement Pathways

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence is replacing its slow, costly procurement approach with segmented processes and new commercial pathways intended to speed purchases in fast-moving areas such as software and drones. The changes are also intended to widen access for SMEs and innovators, with the department’s SME action plan forming part of the opportunity landscape. No specific solicitation, contract value, or procurement contact is identified, so this is a market-shaping development rather than an immediate bid opportunity.

- Contractors should assess how the revised pathways may change routes to market for defence software, drones, and other fast-moving capabilities.
- SMEs and innovators can use the department’s stated focus on widening access to position their offerings for forthcoming opportunities under the new pathways and SME action plan.
- Incumbents and larger primes may need to account for broader SME participation as the MOD changes how it segments and sources requirements.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** October 21, 2026

### Government Entities
- United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD)
- Defence Office for Small Business Growth

### Key Quotes
> Through our Procurement Segmentation and new Commercial Pathways, we are making procurement more agile, opening up opportunities for SMEs and innovators, and ensuring every pound of defence spending delivers stronger military capability and better value for the taxpayer.
> — Luke Pollard, Minister of State for Defence

### Sources
- [The procurement system the government inherited was slow, expensive and not fit for a period of 'warfighting readiness', say the Government. Click image for more.
https://t.co/vPx6w1PSJ5](https://x.com/UKDefJournal/status/2112822911820009983) - twitter-fed-procurement