The UK government has unveiled a new initiative aimed at strengthening the digital capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the defence sector, with five companies selected for an inaugural pilot programme.
Announced by the Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, the AWS SME Vanguard Programme will provide targeted support to help firms modernise manufacturing operations and boost readiness.
Delivered by Amazon Web Services in partnership with Make UK Defence, the programme will allocate a combined $1m (~£750,000) in cloud computing credits to the selected SMEs. In addition to financial support, participants will gain access to technical expertise and strategic guidance across areas including artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, digital engineering and cybersecurity.
The initiative is designed to establish a stronger digital backbone for UK defence manufacturing, enabling SMEs to improve productivity, innovation and competitiveness while contributing to national security objectives.
Five SMEs selected for pilot cohort
The first cohort includes a diverse group of UK-based manufacturers and engineering specialists:
- Whippendell Marine, an electrical systems provider supporting the Royal Navy, including work on the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates.
- MSI Defence Systems, a Norwich-based manufacturer of naval and land-based weapons systems, including counter-UAS capabilities.
- Shearwater Marine, a marine engineering and diving specialist operating globally.
- On-Systems, a developer of power solutions across land, air and maritime domains.
- British Rototherm Company, a long-established manufacturer of precision measurement instruments.
Supporting defence growth and innovation
The programme aligns with the UK government’s 2025 Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy 2025, which commit to increasing defence spending with SMEs by £2.5bn and positioning the sector as a driver of economic growth.
Speaking at the launch, Pollard said the initiative would “modernise and transform the manufacturing and industrial capabilities within the UK’s defence SME community,” adding that the funding would help companies “digitalise their services and accelerate the development of defence solutions.”
Andrew Kinniburgh, Director General of Make UK Defence, emphasised the importance of SMEs to both national readiness and economic performance. He said the programme would equip participating firms with “world-class cloud technology and expertise” to help them scale internationally while strengthening the UK’s defence supply chain.
The AWS SME Vanguard Programme marks an early step in the government’s broader push to enhance industrial capability through digital transformation, with further expansion expected if the pilot proves successful.
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