Manufacturers urged to see defence sector opportunities

Recent changes to the way the MOD procures and maintains land vehicles have created a much more attractive market for innovative UK businesses that have pioneered technologies and processes that could benefit the UK armed forces. While the Defence White Paper published in February 2012 has heralded a new era in the use of open systems architecture and common systems (LOSA), the more recent confirmation of £5.5 billion worth of investment in armed fighting vehicles (AFVs) signals a stable and vibrant market for companies supplying components or complete systems to the defence sector. Similarly, the publication of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) – coupled with the new era of balanced defence spending budgets for land vehicles – provides a stable and fertile environment for entrepreneurial motorsport manufacturers, according to Aylett. Mr Aylett commented: "The defence sector offers huge potential growth opportunities for many UK motorsports engineering companies. Too often, UK engineering companies don't realise that the rules of engagement with the MOD have changed, especially when it comes to the production of urgent operational requirements (UORs). It's now far easier to do business with the military and this provides UK motorsports companies with significant growth opportunities. More information on the Motorsport to defence initiative is available at MIA's website.