The funds will be channelled into five different regions across the UK.

The UK has unveiled its highly anticipated Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), with GBP250 million earmarked over the next five years to drive innovation across the UK.

Launched on 8 September at Rowden’s facility in Bristol, the strategy builds on the UK Government’s efforts to use defence as an ‘engine for growth’ for the economy.

Considering this, five different regions – England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – will receive funding and support as part of the strategy, bringing together industry, local and national government, and academia. 

It aims to replicate the Team Barrow approach, launched last year, which is pumping more than GBP200 million of government funding over the next 10 years to regenerate Barrow‑in‑Furness and support defence innovation. BAE Systems as well as Westmoreland and Furness Council are also supporting the initiative to improve transport connectivity, bolster local businesses, and alleviate skills shortages.

Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains a key part of the government's economic strategy. While no major announcements were made in the DIS, it was confirmed that the SME Hub announced – designed to improve small firms integration in the defence supply chain – has been renamed the Defence Office for Small Business Growth and will launch next year.

Additionally, the strategy is earmarking GBP182 million for improving skills, a key part of which will involve establishing five defence technical excellence colleges by 2026.

The UK will also try to make it easier for early career professionals to find out what a defence career involves, and how you can access it through a new UCAS defence portal.

The announcement follows an increase in defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 announced earlier this year.