The upcoming Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE) 2026 event has further strengthened its speaker programme with the addition of Deborah Haynes, Security and Defence Editor for Sky News. Ms. Haynes joins a distinguished lineup that includes recently announced speakers Rupert Pearce, the UK’s National Armaments Director and Victoria Cope, Commercial Director of Defence Digital. Her participation is set to provide delegates with a unique and timely perspective on the UK’s defence posture and preparedness.
Ms. Haynes was invited to join the agenda following her specialist podcast series “The Wargame” that she scripted and presented for Sky News earlier this year. The podcast featured a detailed, simulated scenario of a potential Russian attack on the United Kingdom, exploring the nation’s strategic responses and vulnerabilities. At the event, she will deliver a keynote session analysing the key outcomes of this simulation, offering delegates a media-led, expert assessment of the UK’s current state of readiness to face contemporary and future threats. Her analysis will provide valuable context for suppliers and contractors regarding the operational challenges and priorities shaping future Ministry of Defence requirements.
In addition to her presentation, Ms. Haynes will host a unique, interactive feature session. This segment will allow delegates to participate directly in a special wargame scenario, offering a practical and immersive experience of strategic decision-making in a crisis. This interactive element is designed to give industry professionals a deeper understanding of the complexities and pressures that define modern defence and security operations, informing their approach to developing and positioning solutions for the sector.
The inclusion of Ms. Haynes’s session underscores the event’s commitment to addressing the most pressing issues facing the UK defence community. For businesses operating within or seeking to enter the defence supply chain, her insights into national preparedness and the strategic landscape will be invaluable. The session will offer a distinct opportunity to understand the evolving threat environment and its direct implications for capability development, procurement priorities, and the role of industry in enhancing national resilience.
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