Accelerate Front-Line Delivery with Innovative Testing and Evaluation Programme

Transforming Defence Technology Testing

Recent developments from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and QinetiQ are set to significantly enhance access to Test and Evaluation (T&E) facilities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. This initiative, known as Project Safari, aims to facilitate the rapid transition of new defence capabilities from development into deployment, ensuring that the UK military remains agile in the face of modern warfare demands.

With the pressing need to evaluate cutting-edge technologies such as hypersonic missiles, directed energy weapons, and autonomous systems, this programme is designed to streamline and accelerate the testing processes. Historically, SMEs and newer entrants to the defence sector have encountered various hurdles, including cumbersome bureaucratic procedures that require multiple approvals before their innovations can be tested in real-world scenarios. Project Safari promises to dismantle these barriers, offering a more straightforward pathway for innovative companies to engage with the defence sector.

Supporting Economic Growth and Innovation

The initiative is aligned with the Strategic Defence Review’s commitment to bolster the UK’s defence collaboration with SMEs, pledging an additional £2.5 billion annually by 2028. This investment aims to invigorate local economies across the country by fostering job creation and attracting investment.

Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, emphasised the importance of this programme, stating that limited access to T&E facilities has hindered smaller businesses from contributing to defence projects. By collaborating closely with QinetiQ, the MOD aims to unlock British innovation, thereby enhancing military capabilities for the UK and its allies at a much faster pace.

Enhancing Military Readiness Through Collaboration

Steve Wadey, Group CEO of QinetiQ, highlighted the critical need for rapid development of reliable military capabilities to maintain a strategic advantage over adversaries. He noted that Project Safari represents a transformative approach to the approval of new technologies, aiming to create a world-class T&E enterprise that fosters collaboration among government, industry, regulators, and technology innovators. This collaborative framework is essential for streamlining access to specialist facilities and expertise, modernising infrastructure to suit the fast-evolving digital landscape, and minimising obstacles to swift decision-making.

During a recent visit to MOD Hebrides, the UK’s largest weapons test range, Minister Pollard signed an agreement with QinetiQ to initiate the first design phase of a significant investment aimed at enhancing the site for testing hypersonic missiles and other advanced technologies. This strategic development underscores the commitment to ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of defence innovation.

Engaging with the SME Community

As part of the initiative, Minister Pollard participated in a roundtable discussion with representatives from various SMEs, including Greenjets and Cambridge Aerospace, to gain insights into their experiences with T&E services and the challenges they face in accessing these vital facilities. The minister also met with MGI Engineering, an Oxfordshire-based SME competing in Project Brakestop, which is focused on developing cost-effective long-range weaponry for Ukraine.

Project Safari exemplifies the aspirations outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, which aims to significantly enhance spending on SMEs within the defence sector. This new approach is further supported by the Defence Investment Plan, which allocates £298 billion in funding for UK defence projects over the next four years, ensuring sustained investment throughout British industry, particularly among SMEs. This commitment is integral to maintaining the UK’s defence sector as a pivotal element of the nation’s economic revitalisation.