The Ministry of Defence has begun implementing main procurement and acquisition reforms outlined within the Defence Industrial Technique: Making Defence an Engine for Development, Defence Minister Luke Pollard has confirmed.
Responding to questions from Ben Overweight-Jecty MP, Pollard mentioned the reforms are being led by the brand new Nationwide Armaments Director, who took up publish on 14 October 2025.
He said that the Ministry is introducing “service-agnostic functionality portfolios, aligned with wider departmental reforms” to “enhance tempo and adaptableness, enabling us to maximise the output from our funding, cut back waste and be extra market aligned.”
Pollard highlighted the launch of 5 new industrial pathways “Spiral, Pressing, Design to Value, Digital & Expertise, and Low Complexity Procurement” which can underpin what he described as a “segmented method to procurement.” A brand new pathway for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can also be being created to simplify contracting, cut back administrative burdens, and increase alternatives for smaller companies.
He added that the Defence Provide Chain Functionality Programme will “create higher resilience, pace and adaptableness within the provide chain to underpin our warfighting edge and assist to drive financial development within the context of accelerating international instability.”
In a associated written query, Pollard mentioned the Ministry stays dedicated to publishing its SME Motion Plan “as quickly as practicable after the conclusion of the Defence Funding Plan course of.”
The plan will purpose to ship a “step-change in SME engagement each straight and not directly” throughout the defence sector.