West Midlands defence supply chain forum

Plug your business into UK defence procurement.

Two days connecting UK SMEs with MOD buyers, tier one primes and senior policymakers. Not a trade show, but a strategic procurement forum built to unlock access.

Partners

Registered attendees in 2026

0 +

Speakers

Exhibitors

Current MOD spend with smaller suppliers

£ 0 bn

+50%

Government pledge to increase defence spending with SMEs by 2028

Why this conference matters

The UK defence sector is changing. Be ready for it.

Procurement reform, sovereign capability priorities and national resilience goals are reshaping how contracts are awarded and who wins them.

DPC gives you practical routes in: who to meet, what buyers need and how to bid with confidence.

This is not a trade show. It’s a procurement forum designed to unlock access.

Who should attend

Built for the businesses the supply chain needs.

Whether you’re taking your first step into defence or growing existing contracts, DPC puts you in the room with the people who buy.

SMEs entering defence

First time suppliers looking for a clear, practical route into MOD and prime contractor supply chains.

Established suppliers

Defence businesses ready to expand contracts and widen their customer base.

Advanced manufacturing

Engineering and manufacturing firms with the capability to support sovereign production.

Tech, cyber and dual use

Innovators whose technology can strengthen defence and national resilience.

Professional services

Firms supporting defence delivery, from compliance and quality to finance and legal.

Policy and regional leaders

Decision makers shaping regional growth and the West Midlands defence ecosystem.

What to expect

Two days of access, insight and introductions.

Policy briefings, practical workshops and closed door conversations with the people setting defence procurement priorities.

Senior MOD and procurement leads

Hear directly from the people commissioning work.

Primes and tier one contractors

Meet the manufacturers building out their supply chains.

Policy briefings on defence spend

Where the money is going and how it will be awarded.

Roundtables and closed door sessions

Smaller conversations where real introductions happen.

Compliance and accreditation

Practical guidance on getting supplier ready.

Regional supply chain growth

Opportunities across the West Midlands manufacturing base.

See what happened in 2026

Download last year’s conference programme to see the speakers and sessions.

Backed by Government

Support from Westminster.

DPC has the backing of ministers and MPs committed to opening up defence supply chains to British SMEs.

"Strengthening our national security goes hand in hand with strengthening British industry. I strongly support this initiative and encourage businesses to take advantage of the practical guidance, insight and connections it offers."

Al Carns MP

Birmingham Selly Oak

"We're breaking down barriers and opening new avenues for innovation. We are ensuring that our SMEs can play a vital role in strengthening our defence capabilities."

Luke Pollard MP

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry

DPC 2026 in pictures

A packed first year at Millennium Point.

Keynotes, panels and a busy exhibition floor. Here is a taste of what 2026 looked like.

DPC 2026 keynote on the UK defence landscape in the main auditorium

Busy exhibition floor at DPC 2026

Panel discussion on stage at DPC 2026

Royal Navy speaker at the DPC 2026 lectern

Delegates networking on the DPC 2026 exhibition floor

Speaker addressing the DPC 2026 auditorium

Delegates at a DPC 2026 breakout session

Live robotics demonstration at DPC 2026