# UK MOD Expands SME Defence Spending

At the 4 November 2026 JOSCAR Live conference in Oxford, UK Ministry of Defence officials and industry leaders highlighted SME access, supplier assurance and supply-chain resilience as priorities for defence readiness. The MOD aims to increase spending with British firms and SMEs by £2.5 billion by summer 2028, in addition to a £5 billion baseline, and plans procurement simplification and support measures. This is a spending target, not a specific contract award; suppliers should use the MOD’s SME Action Plan and Business Growth Service and consider JOSCAR pre-qualification to improve visibility to buyers.

- The target signals potential growth in opportunities for British SMEs across the defence supply chain; it does not identify specific procurements or guarantee awards.
- SMEs can review the MOD’s SME Action Plan and Business Growth Service for the support measures referenced at the conference, and consider JOSCAR pre-qualification to present supplier information to defence buyers.
- Prime contractors and procurement teams should account for SME access and supplier assurance in supply-chain planning as the MOD pursues its spending target.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** November 04, 2026

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

### Vendors
- Hellios (JOSCAR supplier data management system operator and conference organizer)
- Needles & Pins Aerospace (SME defence-industry supplier)
- BAE Systems (Gold sponsor and supporter of the JOSCAR SME Innovation Award)

### Key Quotes
> By working closely with industry, education providers and government, we can help develop the skills and services needed to support future defence capability and long-term economic growth.
> — Dillon Padraig Harmon, Chief Operations Officer, Needles & Pins Aerospace

> JOSCAR has already reduced duplication and made the defence industry more efficient, but it is part of a larger and complex picture with much still to do.
> — Colin Maund, Chief Executive Officer, Hellios

### Sources
- [UK supply chain leaders unite to put SMEs at the heart of defence readiness](https://pressreleasehub.pa.media/article/uk-supply-chain-leaders-unite-to-put-smes-at-the-heart-of-defence-readiness-88042.html) - Press Release Hub