Targeting 30% SME engagement and committed to diversifying and growing the UK’s space industrial footprint Airbus led consortium unites more than £5.8 billion spend in UK Call for SMEs still open via ‘Open Innovation – Space’.
The Airbus led space industry consortium in competition to support the future operations of military satellite communications to the UK MOD is focusing on the UK’s prosperity agenda with a target of 30% SME (small and medium sized enterprises) engagement.
The consortium, comprising KBR, Leidos UK, Northrop Grumman and QinetiQ spends more than £5.8 billion annually in the UK supply chain.
Richard Franklin, Managing Director, Airbus Defence and Space UK said: “We have listened to the government closely and support not just the MOD’s programme objectives, but also the wider prosperity agenda. Yes, we must deliver the best, most agile and innovative future milsatcoms for the UK, but we also need to incorporate a wider supply chain, and by targeting 30% SMEs in our proposal we feel we can make a definitive contribution that will help create long-term value and benefit to the wider British economy.”
In December 2020, the consortium saw more than 100 SMEs take part in a virtual event to see how they could contribute. Richard Franklin continued: “Our initiative “Open Innovation – Space” is actively calling for companies to sign up to see how they can contribute to the future of secure communications for the UK’s armed forces. We are looking across the piece for future capabilities – everything from quantum technologies to real-time ISR and enhanced cyber security. We encourage those interested to visit www.openinnovationspace.uk.”
The consortium which as a whole spends more than £360m a year on R&D in the UK, counts more than 22,000 employees across the country, of which more than 10,000 are scientists and engineers.
Open Innovation – Space – Portal www.openinnovationspace.uk
Airbus is an official event partner for DPRTE 2021
Taking place at Farnborough International on June 23rd with elements of the event streamed online, DPRTE 2021 is the UK’s leading defence procurement and supply chain event.
For all involved within buying for or supplying to the defence sector, it’s an unmissable opportunity to hear from and engage with industry leaders, influencers and stakeholders.
To register today as a delegate, follow this link.
To take advantage of exhibitor or sponsor opportunities, please click here.
With DPRTE 2021’s Booking Confidence Guarantee you can now prepare to join the UK’s defence procurement community at DPRTE 2021.
Defence Online is the official media partner for DPRTE 2021
If you would like to join our community and read more articles like this then please click here
Airbus
DPRTE
KBR
Leidos UK
Northrop Grumman
Open Innovation - Space
QinetiQ
SMEs
