UK-based innovation center Digital Catapult has selected five technology companies to join a new accelerator programme focused on strengthening supply chain resilience in the UK defence sector. The Digital Supply Chain Hub Defence Testbed Accelerator aims to enable secure data sharing and support more agile, distributed manufacturing, particularly additive manufacturing, by addressing long-standing challenges around fragmented data and limited interoperability.
The accelerator is delivered by Digital Catapult through the Made Smarter | Digital Supply Chain Hub, in collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), major defence manufacturers, and UK-based small and medium-sized enterprises. Technical expertise and facilities are also being provided by the National Composites Centre (NCC) and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).
Enabling Secure Data Sharing for Distributed Defence Manufacturing
At present, the UK defence sector faces extended lead times for equipment delivery, partly driven by siloed data systems and limited visibility across supplier networks. These constraints can restrict asset availability and weaken overall supply chain resilience. In response, the MOD is exploring the development of a federated digital inventory that would allow authorised partners to securely access critical technical and manufacturing data. Such an approach would support distributed production models, including point-of-need additive manufacturing, while preserving control over sensitive information.
“One area of defence innovation that requires immediate attention is the supply chain, responsible for the delivery of assets, information and people that underpin the success of the UK defence sector. Interventions like this accelerator programme demonstrate the value of convening capabilities across the sector, and bridging the gap between industry, startups and government to better solve some of the most pressing challenges in the space,” said Annie Iakovaki, Head of Industrial Supply Chains at Digital Catapult.
Two Technical Challenges and Five Participating Companies
The selected startups will work across two challenge areas intended to demonstrate how deep tech can enable a more connected, secure, and agile defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The Technical Data Packs (TDP) – Digital Inventory Connectors challenge focuses on improving how manufacturing data is extracted, structured, and shared. Data integration and standardisation provider Dataline Labs, online manufacturing quoting provider CamyPro, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and systems integration solutions provider TECHNIA will develop software solutions to securely pull and standardise metadata from PLM systems.
The second challenge, Federated Digital Inventory, is being addressed by blockchain-based digital manufacturing provider Vistory Group and AI-driven digital workflow and simulation platform Quaisr. Their work will explore how a unified, permission-based platform could allow defence partners to view and share technical data across the supply chain.
The programme builds on Digital Catapult’s previous work in this area, which has included the delivery of 37 Digital Supply Chain Hub projects and 135 engagements with manufacturing and technology SME, a 44% increase year-on-year. Companies involved in the Hub have collectively secured more than £6 million in funding following their participation, highlighting the programme’s role in supporting commercialisation and scale-up.
UK Government Supports AM
The UK Government is stepping up its support for AM through a series of strategic initiatives. In April 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) launched its first Defence Advanced Manufacturing Strategy, establishing 3D printing as a core element of long-term military planning. The MOD highlighted the technology’s potential to strengthen supply chain resilience, integrate into future designs, and reduce obsolescence while enhancing operational capabilities. A Defence Innovation Unit (DIU) report estimated that producing 15% of the UK’s defence inventory via 3D printing could save £110 million over 15 years, with annual savings potentially reaching £35.5 million thereafter.
In July, during Exercise Bull Storm in Kenya, the British Army 3D printed and deployed first-person view attack drones on the front lines, marking a likely first for the military. Led by Major Stephen Watts of the 3rd Battalion, The Rifles Regiment, the team used a Bambu Lab FDM printer and a field workshop setup to produce drones and spare parts, reducing individual unit costs from £2,000 to £400. Partnering with the Edinburgh Drone Company, which provided hardware and 3D print files for the Dirk 5 FPV model, the soldiers assembled five operational drones in a few hours.
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Featured image shows UK innovation agency Digital Catapult. Photo via Digital Catapult.
