Defence Procurement Conference

The Defence Procurement Conference 2026 is the West Midlands’ inaugural event dedicated to connecting UK SMEs with defence manufacturers, MOD representatives and senior policymakers.

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About the Defence Procurement Conference

The Defence Procurement Conference 2026 is the first dedicated West Midlands forum focused exclusively on UK defence supply chain access and procurement strategy.

Taking place on 11–12 June 2026, the conference brings together SMEs, defence manufacturers, commissioners and government representatives to build meaningful commercial pathways into defence contracts.

“We recognise that Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are at the heart of the vibrant and flexible UK defence industry supporting a wide variety of high quality jobs across the four nations of the United Kingdom.”

UK Government Defence Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Action Plan

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Our mission

With the Government committed to increasing defence spending with SMEs by 50%, this opens up new opportunities for UK based companies to bring their expertise into the defence supply chain.

The Defence Procurement Conference aims to open the door for more suppliers to enter the supply chain - and strengthen national resilience by connecting UK-based businesses with defence procurement decision-makers.

We believe the future of UK defence capability depends on:

  • Diversified and resilient supply chains
  • Regional industrial growth
  • SME participation in major programmes
  • Transparent and accessible procurement processes

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International Sponsors

Why the West Midlands?

The West Midlands has a strong industrial heritage and a growing advanced manufacturing base. From aerospace to cyber security, the region is well-positioned to support UK defence priorities.

This conference supports regional growth by ensuring local firms understand how to:

Navigate defence procurement frameworks

Meet compliance standards

Engage with prime contractors

Access emerging capability opportunities

What makes this different?

Unlike large-scale expos, this conference is structured around:

Targeted networking

Policy insight

Direct access to procurement leaders

Actionable guidance for SMEs

This is about real routes to contract readiness!