Transforming Access to Defence Testing Facilities
The collaboration between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and QinetiQ is set to transform the landscape of Test and Evaluation (T&E) facilities in the UK, particularly for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The initiative, known as Project Safari, aims to facilitate quicker transition of new technologies from development to deployment, enabling advancements in military capabilities at a pace that keeps up with modern warfare demands.
Historically, SMEs and new entrants in the defence sector have encountered significant challenges in accessing testing facilities due to cumbersome approval processes and bureaucratic obstacles. Project Safari seeks to dismantle these barriers by establishing a streamlined access point for SMEs, thereby enhancing the testing environment and expediting the transition of innovative technologies into operational use.
Supporting Innovation and Economic Growth
By simplifying the approval process and providing a consolidated entry point for SMEs, this programme not only promotes technological advancement but also stimulates local economies by supporting job creation and investment. The initiative aligns with the government’s commitment outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, which includes an annual increase of £2.5 billion in spending with SMEs by 2028.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating that the limited access to T&E facilities has hindered the potential of smaller businesses in the defence sector. He expressed confidence that the collaboration with QinetiQ would foster British innovation and enhance military capabilities for the UK and its allies.
Enhancing Military Capability through Collaboration
Steve Wadey, the Group CEO of QinetiQ, highlighted the critical need for rapid transformation in how new technologies are approved. He asserted that achieving military advantage relies on the ability to convert ideas into trusted operational capabilities more swiftly than adversaries. Project Safari aims to create a leading-edge T&E enterprise that fosters collaboration among government, industry, regulators, and technology innovators, thereby enhancing the UK’s warfighting readiness.
The project will modernise infrastructure to accommodate the fast-paced demands of the digital age, while simultaneously reducing unnecessary barriers that can slow down decision-making processes. This approach is designed to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of defence technology.
Investing in the Future of Defence
During a recent visit to MOD Hebrides, the UK’s largest weapons testing range, Minister Pollard formalised an agreement with QinetiQ to initiate the first design phase of a significant investment aimed at developing the site for testing hypersonic missiles and other advanced technologies. This commitment illustrates the government’s dedication to advancing the UK’s defence capabilities.
Minister Pollard also engaged in discussions with representatives from SMEs, such as Greenjets and Cambridge Aerospace, to gather insights into their experiences with accessing T&E services and the challenges they face. Additionally, he met with MGI Engineering, an Oxfordshire-based SME competing in Project Brakestop, which is focused on developing cost-effective long-range weapons for Ukraine.
Commitment to Long-term Investment in Defence
Project Safari exemplifies the ambitions articulated in the Strategic Defence Review, underscoring the MOD’s commitment to increasing annual spending with SMEs significantly by the summer of 2028. This announcement complements the Defence Investment Plan, which allocates £298 billion towards UK defence over the next four years, ensuring sustained investment across the British industrial landscape, including SMEs. This strategy is vital for maintaining the UK’s defence sector as a key pillar of the nation’s economic revival.