Exclusive: Innovate UK initiates new dual-use projects

Innovate UK, part of government entity UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has initiated the first projects to support 25 UK-based SMEs develop dual-use aviation and counter-UAS technologies. 

The SMEs were selected as part of a competition – backed by GBP15.8 million of funding – launched by the organisation in April, Rob Shaw, Director for Defence and Security at Innovate UK, told DSEI Gateway. 

Speaking on the sidelines of the British Business Bank’s Unlocking Defence Innovation conference in Plymouth, UK on 22 October, Shaw added that, alongside funding, the companies will receive business support to help them scale up. 

For example, the SMEs will be connected to Innovate UK’s Catapult network of R&D facilities, with trade organisations such as Make UK, and with business growth advisors. 

Further guidance from Innovate UK will help the companies enhance their security posture, including their cyber security, protective security governance, and risk management. 

“We identify the business, then work with them on an action plan to help them scale,” Shaw said. 

What are Innovate UK’s plans for the future? 

The new projects fall under UKRI’s wider National Security and Defence Programme, which seeks to accelerate the delivery of defence technologies through strategic collaboration across the sector. 

Shaw said that, going forward, autonomy will be a “strong theme” for this programme, with other focuses including AI and swarming, advanced manufacturing, and defence medical capabilities. 

He added that UKRI is becoming increasingly focused on dual-use technologies, as it seeks to catalyse research and innovation to support the UK both domestically and internationally.

Innovate UK will also work with regional defence and security clusters around the UK to promote new opportunities for defence companies. 

“This helps us to understand what support defence businesses need as well,” Shaw said.