As global threats evolve in scale, complexity, and unpredictability, the UK’s defence sector must respond with agility, innovation, and a unified industrial base. This panel, hosted by trade association ADS, will convene businesses across the defence and adjacent sectors to explore how industry can upscale its capacity to meet the demands of 21st century threats.

Key themes include the role of dual-use technologies in enhancing operational readiness, and how transferrable contracting models can improve supply chain resilience and responsiveness. Panellists will also examine how the outcomes of the latest Strategic Defence Review reshape the landscape for defence procurement, partnerships, and technological integration.

From SMEs to prime contractors, this session will consider practical routes to expanding capability while fostering cross-sector collaboration, with a focus on scalability, flexibility, and sovereign resilience. The discussion will provide insights into aligning commercial innovation with national defence priorities, ensuring the UK remains a global leader in defence capability amidst intensifying geopolitical uncertainty.