# UK MoD Expands SME Defence Spending

At JOSCAR Live, UK Ministry of Defence officials and industry representatives identified SMEs as important to defence supply-chain resilience, innovation and readiness. The MoD aims to increase spending with British firms and SMEs by **£2.5 billion above its £5 billion baseline by summer 2028**. This is a strategic spending target, not a specific contract award or open solicitation.

- SMEs can assess how their capabilities and supplier-assurance processes align with the MoD’s stated priorities, while recognizing that the signal does not announce a procurement opportunity or new compliance mandate.
- Prime contractors and SMEs can use the emphasis on collaboration to build supply-chain relationships and share expertise, as discussed at the conference.
- Procurement teams and industry stakeholders should note the stated priorities for simpler procurement access and clearer future-demand signals when planning supplier engagement and defence-market strategies.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** November 12, 2026

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

### Vendors
- Needles & Pins Aerospace (SME supply-chain participant)
- Hellios (JOSCAR Live conference organizer)
- BAE Systems (Conference sponsor)

### Key Quotes
> Events such as JOSCAR Live play an important role in bringing SMEs and prime contractors together, creating opportunities to share expertise, build partnerships and strengthen the UK defence supply chain.
> — Dillon Padraig Harmon, Chief Operations Officer, Needles & Pins Aerospace

> This year’s conference provided a platform for industry to share knowledge while exploring how all stakeholders can work more effectively together, creating an environment where UK SMEs can flourish.
> — Colin Maund, Chief Executive Officer, Hellios

### Sources
- [JOSCAR conference focuses on SME role in UK defence readiness](https://www.pesmedia.com/joscar-conference-focuses-on-sme-role-in-uk-defence-readiness) - PES Media