DSEI UK 2025: Exclusive – UK’s new SME office to launch in January

Published on September 11, 2025

The UK Ministry of Defence will launch its newly renamed Defence Office for Small Business Growth in January 2026 to boost opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and simplify contracting processes. Aiming to raise defence spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by May 2028 under the Modern Industrial Strategy 2025, the office has been shaped through consultations with industry bodies, trade associations, and MoD stakeholders. Addressing barriers to entry, low SME spending, and investor concerns about inconsistent defence sector messaging, the office will work to improve SME access to supply chains, opportunities, export advice, finance, and growth capital, while fostering better coordination across government and industry. SMEs are encouraged to engage with the MoD team to help shape the office before its launch.

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