On 15 October, Made in Britain hosted an online session to explore opportunities for supplying NATO, the world’s leading defence and security alliance. The session featured two NATO representatives as speakers: David Walker, Head of Defence & Security Trade (NATO) at the British Embassy in Brussels, and Ben Hayward, Defence & Security Trade Advisor (NATO) at the British Embassy in Brussels.
This event aimed to ‘demystify engaging with NATO’ and provide valuable insights into its procurement processes, funding opportunities and requirements of supply companies.
The session covered:
Key product categories and opportunities overview:
Primarily via two channels:
1. NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), which spent circa €10 billion in 2023, in areas directly relevant to Made in Britain companies, including:
o Operations equipment and services
o Life cycle management
o Logistical support
2. NATO’s Communication & Information Agency (NCIA) that spent €800 million in 2023, across areas including:
o IT infrastructure
o Network services
o Cyber security
Innovation
DIANA is NATO's internal defence accelerator, focused on agile adoption of emerging & disruptive technologies. It is headquartered in Imperial College London and is partners with over 180 test centres from across the Alliance. Of pilot challenges in 2023 – there were 1,300 applications, with 10 companies entering phase II. Of these 4 are from the UK.
Supplier requirements and guidance
Detailed guidance on NATO’s procurement processes, including registration, bidding procedures, and compliance standards.
Supply chain priorities
Focus areas where UK companies can differentiate themselves, such as sustainability, quality assurance, and innovation.
75+ companies registered for the session, to listen, discuss and ask questions.
The session was hosted and facilitated by George Middleton, Advisor to Made in Britain and Director at MAP UK & International. It took place as part of Made in Britain’s ongoing supply chains support programme. Previous sessions include those with Babcock, Leidos, Cabinet Office and NHS Supply Chain.
Please email: trade@madeinbritain.org to make contact with Made in Britain and Advisor, George Middleton, in relation to supplying NATO or more details on Made in Britain’s supply chains support programme.
By Made in Britain 2 weeks ago | Government & Supply Chains