National security capability
Manufacturing has a vital role in national resilience and security.
Enhancing and developing new sovereign industrial capability which can be deployed rapidly is essential and HVM Catapult can play a key role in accelerate engineering and manufacturing innovation.
It is estimated that only 3% of the current UK industrial base is engaged in defence work, so securing growth in the sector will not only support national security but will also drive economic security. Strengthening our capability and capacity also offers an opportunity for the UK to increase exports of defence equipment to our allies in Europe and beyond.
In 2025, the UK government announced a new alliance between HVM Catapult and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in the defence industrial strategy to grow the defence industrial base.
The alliance will provide a framework for HVM Catapult to support the MOD’s implementation of the defence industrial strategy and to support, in partnership with industry, some of the key delivery challenges for defence.
Our priority areas
Engineering and manufacturing innovation
Focusing on new defence applications including use of innovative processes, advanced manufacturing, reconfigurable production and use of advanced materials.
Boosting the supply chain for defence
Growing the UK supplier base in defence which will introduce new ideas and strengthen sovereign manufacturing capabilities, reducing our reliance on imports while increasing exports.
Defence innovation ecosystem
Including developing a stronger relationship with MOD as a trusted advisor and delivery partner. The convening power of HVM Catapult across government, industry and academia, along with developing secure facilities across the network, is a potential force multiplier for the defence innovation ecosystem.