Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Chilterns Regional Defence & Security Cluster

Understanding UK Ministry of Defence #procurement can be confusing! Check out this summary of the various ways in which MOD procures equipment and services, how the supply chain can engage, and includes opportunities for SMEs. https://lnkd.in/eRifWgxu #defence #security #frameworks #funding #grants

It was a real pleasure to meet with CEO AWE, Nick Elliott CB MBE, for our joint event at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus to explore the opportunities for SMEs, industry and academia to support the National Endeavour to deliver the UK’s #nuclear deterrent. The AWE top team provided an excellent summary of the replacement warhead programme and the important role that a UK supply chain will have in providing the best national capabilities in many high #technology areas, including #lasers precision #engineering, test and evaluation, #microelectronics, and in the equipping of state of the art facilities. Along with Dr Mark H. from Defence and Security Accelerator, the presentations explained the priorities and the routes to engagement and partnership with the programme. It was great to hear SME perspectives from Chris Spindloe from Scitech Precision Limited and Rob Wright from Oxford Dynamics, explaining the opportunities and challenges of working with AWE.   Our thanks to the AWE team for providing such a comprehensive vision to the OBC RDSC for delivering this National Endeavour, and to STFC Business & Innovation for hosting us at Harwell. UK Ministry of Defence Dstl Royal Navy Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Carew Wilks Mark Burrows #defence #security #nationalendeavour #collaboration #innovation #networking

❓Are you an SME looking for finance to commercialise your innovation? We might be able to help! We are pleased to be able to announce cycle dates for the Defence Innovation Loans service until March 2025. You may be able to borrow between £100,000 - £1 million to help boost your business and bring your product to market. To be eligible, you must: • be a UK registered SME • intend to exploit the results in the UK or overseas to make a significant and positive impact on the UK economy and / or productivity • give evidence that your business is suitable to take on a loan • Only SMEs are eligible to apply - individuals, academic institutions, research organisations and large companies are not eligible. Find out more: https://ow.ly/xOUe50U6QxQ #DASA #BusinessFinance #Invest #CollaborateToInnovate Innovate UK

❗ Coming in March 2025 ❗ EVENT TITLE: Securing Tomorrow: Shared Opportunities and Innovations in Quantum, Cybersecurity and Defence Industries   LOCATION: Oxford Library, 228, The Westgate, Queen St, Oxford OX1 1PE   TIME: 16:00 – 19:00 Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the shared opportunities and innovations driving the future of cyber technology in defence and security. Experts from the industries will explore escalating threats, the integration of emerging technologies, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the talent shortage. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from prestigious leaders as they discuss the path forward in safeguarding critical infrastructure and national security. Keep an eye on our website for further information - www.obcrdsc.co.uk #defence #security #quantum #cyber #cybersecurity #innovation #technology

💷We are pleased to be able to announce cycle dates for the Defence Innovation Loans service until March 2025. If you're ready to commercialise your innovation, a Defence Innovation Loan could help you get there. Borrow between £100,000 - £1 million to help boost your business and bring your product to market. To be eligible, you must: • be a UK registered SME • intend to exploit the results in the UK or overseas to make a significant and positive impact on the UK economy and / or productivity • give evidence that your business is suitable to take on a loan • Only SMEs are eligible to apply - individuals, academic institutions, research organisations and large companies are not eligible. Find out more: https://ow.ly/xOUe50U6QxQ #DASA #BusinessFinance #Invest #CollaborateToInnovate Innovate UK

As signatories to the Women in Defence Charter we are always proud to be involved with these events. Some vital topics covered and as Dr Mamatha Maheshwarappa rightly stated, "inclusivity means being heard, not just having a seat at the table" - make sure you support your colleagues in meetings and at events to ensure they are heard. #inclusion #equality #defence #security

Breaking the mould: Building warfighting capability through the supply chain A team drawn from across the #UKDefence enterprise, including civil servants, military, and industry representatives, have recently launched the Delivery Phase of the Defence Supply Chain Capability Programme (DSCCP). In collaboration with multiple Defence and Industry stakeholders, DSCCP will create greater resilience, speed, and adaptability in the supply chain to underpin our warfighting edge and help to drive economic growth in the context of increasing global instability. The aim is to think differently, be ambitious, and transform the supply chain for our nation's security. In this update, the DSCCP team explains how they are going to achieve this, and how you can get involved.

Might be of interest to some of our members....

Learn more about our AWE Themed Competition by joining our launch webinar on 22 October. Register now to reserve your seat for AWE – Advanced Electronics and Electromechanical Devices 👉https://ow.ly/NzTw50TMFTe #DASA #DASAEvents AWE

A quantum leap for Harwell. We're thrilled to announce the official opening of the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) at Harwell, a pioneering facility that will propel advancements in healthcare, energy efficiency, and climate resilience. With support from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the NQCC is set to house 12 state-of-the-art quantum computers, a testament to the UK’s dedication to breakthrough technologies. The 4,000-square-metre, purpose-built centre stands as a beacon for innovation, uniting industry and academia to make quantum computing practically usable at scale. From accelerating drug discovery to optimising energy distribution, the possibilities are limitless. Our testbed companies and NQCC scientists are heading up the work at the centre, which is hoped, will speed up the development of quantum computing, including Aegiq, Infleqtion, ORCA Computing, Oxford Ionics, Quantum Motion, QuEra Computing Inc., Oxford Instruments plc, and Rigetti Computing, to name a few. Science minister Patrick Vallance says it best: “The National Quantum Computing Centre marks a vital step forward in the UK’s efforts to advance quantum technologies. By making its facilities available to users from across industry and academia, and with its focus on making quantum computers practically useable at scale, this Centre will help them solve some of the biggest challenges we face, whether it’s delivering advances in healthcare, enhancing energy efficiency, tackling climate change, or inventing new materials. The innovations that will emerge from the work the NQCC will do will ultimately improve lives across the country and ensure the UK seizes the economic benefits of its leadership in quantum technologies." Read more about the opening, here: https://lnkd.in/ecKnZEE9 #quantumcomputing #innovation #healthcaretechnology #energyefficiency #climateaction #quantum #ukri #scienceandtechnology #NQCC #advancedtechnology STFC STFC Business & Innovation Government Office for Science Najwa Sidqi, PhD 📷 credit: Department of Science, Innovation and Technology