UK government funds SME defence innovation with Defence Technology Exploitation Programme
DTEP is backed with £16 million of UK government funding for defence-minded SMEs. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
A new UK initiative seeks to harness the defence innovation potential of SMEs.
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) within the UK MoD launched a new scheme on 28 July to encourage SMEs to engage with defence innovation and technology development.
Called the Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) and backed with £16 million ($19.48 million) of government funding, the new scheme provides grants of up to 50% of a project’s value, or up to a maximum of £500,000, in support of new defence ventures.
The grants provided will be available for collaborative projects involving SMEs and Tier 1 defence contractors, with the aim of supporting the integration of new and innovative technologies and blending these into the MoD supply chain.
Defence procurement minister Jeremy Quin said that DTEP reflects ‘how we support SMEs and larger suppliers to work together to improve the resilience and competitiveness of the MoD’s supply chain’.
Applications for DTEP funding are open all year round and will be assessed by DASA in three-month cycles.
More from Defence Notes
-
![UK releases security strategy and plans for future defence spending boost]()
UK releases security strategy and plans for future defence spending boost
The UK’s National Security Strategy brings together the recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR), Strategic Security Review, AUKUS Review and Industrial and Trade Strategies. At the same time, the UK made a commitment to reach defence spending of 5% of GDP by 2035 and Germany committed to 3.5% by 2029.
-
![Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide]()
Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide
The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
