London, 11 September 2025 – The Rt Hon John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, today met with Make UK Defence at DSEI, alongside some of their most innovative SME members, who are fuelling job creation across the country and delivering vital capability for the UK’s Armed Forces.
Healey’s meeting follows the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) earlier this week, which Make UK Defence hailed as a “major win for UK industry.” The Strategy introduces a new SME Commercial Pathway and a Defence Office for Small Business Growth, with clear targets to boost SME spending by £2.5 billion by 2028, alongside procurement reforms to accelerate acquisition and create fairer access to contracts.
Recent Make UK Defence data shows that three quarters of its members have increased their headcount in the past year, with many growing by over 10% and some doubling their workforce. The majority of this growth has been driven by SMEs, underlining the sector’s critical role in supporting national security while powering local economies.
Andrew Kinniburgh, Director General of Make UK Defence, said:
“We were delighted to meet with John Healey at DSEI today. Meeting with MakeUK Defence and our members sends a powerful message that this Government is backing SMEs as the backbone of our industrial base. I was delighted to introduce him to representatives from Jaltek, Chelton and Filtronic, some of our most innovative members. With the Defence Industrial Strategy committing to an SME Commercial Pathway and real spending targets, the sector now has the chance to scale, innovate and invest. SMEs are creating thousands of skilled jobs, strengthening our sovereign capability, and supporting NATO allies, and the Defence Secretary’s engagement today shows how central they are to Britain’s security and prosperity.”
At DSEI 2025, 52 Make UK Defence member companies are showcasing cutting-edge innovation in autonomy, precision engineering and digital technology. From supplying equipment to NATO allies to developing dual-use technologies, SMEs are at the forefront of building resilience for the UK Armed Forces and growth for the wider economy.
