Over 100 delegates from Fife, across the UK, and internationally gathered at the Fife Defence Supplier Event on June 3rd. Delivered in partnership by Fife Council’s Economic Development team, Make UK Defence, and Prime Contractors as part of Fife’s Trade Development Programme, to explore opportunities in the growing defence sector. The event brought together major industry players, government representatives, and suppliers for a day of sector presentations, 1-2-1 meetings, and networking.
Leading defence and security organisations including MBDA, Thales, Leonardo, the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), and Hellios – delivered strategic briefings and sector updates, and engaged in one-to-one sessions with local and national suppliers. These sessions provided attendees with valuable insights into procurement processes, innovation priorities, and upcoming contract opportunities.
The event also marked the official launch of the Defence Ready Programme, a pioneering initiative designed to support Fife-based businesses in accessing and succeeding in the defence supply chain. The programme aligns with the UK’s Strategic Defence Review and the government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.36% of GDP by 2027, creating significant opportunities for both traditional and non-traditional suppliers.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive:
Drew Smith, Contract Solutions (Scotland) Limited, said: "This event provided a rare and valuable opportunity to connect directly with key players in the defence sector. It helped us understand exactly where we stand in terms of readiness and capability. The opportunity to engage with primes and procurement experts in one place was invaluable. Huge thanks to Fife Council, Make UK, JOSCAR, and all the speakers for making this happen."
Joyce Onuonga, John White & Son Weighing Machines Limited, shared: "The event was exceptionally well organised and created the perfect environment for meaningful networking. We came away with a clearer understanding of the defence procurement landscape and identified several promising collaboration opportunities. It’s encouraging to see such strong support for local businesses looking to diversify into this sector."
Pamela Stevenson, Service Manager for Economic Development at Fife Council, commented: "This event demonstrates the strength and potential of Fife’s business community in contributing to the UK’s defence capabilities. The level of engagement from both local companies and global primes highlights the value of collaboration and the importance of preparing our businesses to compete and thrive in this sector. We’re excited to continue building on this momentum through the Defence Ready Programme."
The strong interest from Make UK Defence and several Prime Contractors in hosting a repeat event next year on a larger scale is a testament to the success of this year’s programme and the growing recognition of Fife as a hub for defence innovation and supply chain excellence. For more information on the Trade Development Programme, visit https://www.investfife.co.uk/who-we-are/trade-development/
