The companies and the Minister signed a joint document,
named ‘Vision 2025’, which includes new pledges from
both parties to improve the productivity of the UK
defence sector and ensure the armed forces obtain the
capabilities they need in the future.
After welcoming remarks from the Defence Minister and
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive of BAE Systems,
attendees took part in sessions focused on boosting
defence exports, encouraging innovation within the
defence industry and accelerating the inclusion of
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the
market.
The Defence Minister also unveiled the
MOD’s SME Action
Plan at the event, setting out the
department’s commitment to supporting smaller
businesses across the defence supply chain. Developed
with input from businesses, industry bodies and Trade
Associations, the SME Action Plan includes a range of
measures to increase the MOD’s procurement spend with
SMEs by removing barriers to entry to the defence
market. The Plan sets an ambitious target to spend 25%
of the MOD’s total procurement budget with SMEs by
2022.
Speaking at the Defence Suppliers Forum, Defence
Minister said:
Vision 2025 represents a significant evolution in
government-industry collaboration. By committing to
work together more closely, we will ensure our armed
forces continue to benefit from world-leading
capabilities while driving up value-for-money for UK
taxpayers.
Small and medium-sized businesses will play a crucial
role in delivering our future military capability, so
I am delighted to endorse the publication of our SME
Action Plan today. Engaging with smaller and
innovative suppliers will help create a more
resilient supply chain while boosting local economies
and creating jobs.
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems, said:
The UK Defence Sector has a long history of
successful collaborative working with customers and
partners.
Vision 2025 will help ensure that we remain best
placed to design, deliver and maintain the world
class defence capabilities that the Armed Forces need
and deserve.
The defence industry in the UK supports 260,000 jobs
and contributed £9bn in exports in 2017. The MOD
invested £18.9bn with UK industry in 2017/18, equating
to £290 per resident.
