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Defence

Our Defence programme brings industry and government together to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies, strengthen national security and help the UK's defence sector remain at the forefront of innovation. Our focus:

  • Connecting members with MOD decision makers

  • Supporting defence technology adoption and innovation

  • Championing industry views on defence policy
Defence hero
About this programme

Defence advantage increasingly depends on technology advantage.

We connect the UK's defence technology sector with the Ministry of Defence, its delivery organisations and wider government stakeholders. We bring together technology companies, defence organisations and policymakers to strengthen collaboration, improve access to opportunities and support the adoption of innovative digital capabilities that shape what comes next in defence.

Members engage through our Defence Board and specialist forums covering information superiority, research and technology, commercial business and SMEs. Through strategic briefings, market engagement activity and policy discussions, we help organisations understand emerging requirements and contribute expertise on the technologies shaping modern defence.

Our programme supports organisations already working in defence, as well as those looking to enter the sector. Members gain opportunities to engage with key stakeholders, understand future procurement activity and contribute to policy discussions affecting the UK's defence technology ecosystem.

This programme sits within our wider work on Defence and National Security, bringing together policy, innovation and industry expertise to support the future of UK defence and national security.

Our impact
  • Shape defence policy

    We bring a strong voice to the defence technology sector, connecting industry expertise with policy discussions across the Ministry of Defence and wider government. Through our Defence Board and engagement with senior decision-makers, we help ensure members' views are reflected in the policies shaping the future of UK defence.

  • Access market opportunities

    We work closely with the National Armaments Directorate Group (NADG), UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) and Front-Line Commands to help our members understand emerging requirements, future procurement activity and business opportunities. Early market engagement gives organisations valuable insight into defence priorities and programmes.

  • Connecting industry and defence

    We bring together defence organisations, technology providers, SMEs and policymakers to share expertise, build relationships and address common challenges. Through our forums and events, members gain access to a community spanning the UK's defence technology ecosystem.

  • Join the programme

    Join a community helping shape the future of UK defence technology. You'll influence policy, access market insight, connect with key stakeholders and contribute expertise that supports innovation, national resilience and future defence capability.

Upcoming events

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Related insights

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Related policy views

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Groups

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Defence Board

Our Defence Board drives the strategic direction of the defence programme of work

Programme specialists

Meet the team
  • Fred Sugden

    Fred Sugden

    Associate Director - Defence and National Security

    Fred is responsible for techUK's activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working to provide members with access to key stakeholders across the Defence and National Security community. Before taking on the role of Associate Director for Defence and National Security, Fred was the Programme Head for Defence at techUK, leading the organisation's engagement with the Ministry of Defence. Before joining techUK in 2018, , he worked at ADS, the national trade association representing Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space companies in the UK. Fred is responsible for techUK’s market engagement and policy development activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working closely with various organisations within the Ministry of Defence, and across the wider National Security and Intelligence community. Fred works closely with many techUK member companies that have an interest in these sectors, and is responsible for the activities of techUK's senior Defence & Security Board. Working closely with techUK's Programme Head for Cyber Security, Fred oversees a broad range of activities for techUK members. Outside of work, Fred's interests include football (a Watford FC fan) and skiing.

  • Jeremy Wimble

    Jeremy Wimble

    Senior PM - Defence

    Jeremy manages techUK's defence programme, helping the UK's defence technology sector align itself with the Ministry of Defence - including the National Armaments Directorate (NAD), UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) and Frontline Commands - through a broad range of activities including policy consultation, private briefings and early market engagement. The Programme supports the MOD as it procures new digital technologies. Prior to joining techUK, from 2016-2024 Jeremy was International Security Programme Manager at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) coordinating research and impact activities for funders including the FCDO and US Department of Defense, as well as business development and strategy. Jeremy has a MA in International Relations from the University of Birmingham and a BA (Hons) in Politics & Social Policy from Swansea University.

  • Matthew Evans

    Matthew Evans

    Chief Operating Officer & Director, Developing Market Programmes

    Matt Evans is techUK's Chief Operating Officer and leads our Market Programme teams. The Market Programme teams help techUK members apply innovative technology solutions across a range of sectors, including the Public Sector, Telecoms, Climate, Financial Services and Cyber. Matt also leads our Nations and Regions work. Matt sits on a number of industry bodies, including the UKspace Executive Committee and the Task & Finish Group on Industry Resilience for Critical Minerals. Matt has previously represented techUK on the Steering Board of the Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce, Digital Framework Task Group and the advisory board for the Prospering from the Energy Revolution industrial challenge fund. Prior to his appointment in early 2019, Matt led techUK’s Smart Infrastructure and IoT work, as well as being CEO of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (now Digital Connectivity Forum). During this time he led the telecoms industry’s approach to lowering the cost of network deployment, played a key role in coordinating it’s response to Brexit and was closely involved in the development of the Government’s Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review. He also assisted in the development of the UK’s first secure by design Code of Practice aimed at consumer IoT, oversaw the publication of a paper outlining the tech sector’s view of future mobility services and drove engagement around the use of digital twins. Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked in Arqiva's public policy team, across the broadcast and telecoms markets. Before that he was a researcher for an MP at Westminster.