Defence spending is all over the news right now. Global military is racing to adapt to a flood of unmanned and automated devices.
The UK has launched the Rapid AI Delivery (RAID) Taskforce to accelerate the deployment of AI across its armed forces, aiming to improve decision‑making, planning and operational effectiveness while reducing risk to personnel. However, as highlighted by Sifted, defence startups and investors are sceptical that the initiative will succeed without major reform to the Ministry of Defence’s slow procurement processes, warning that lengthy contract timelines and reliance on unpaid trials could deter innovation and drive companies elsewhere despite growing investment in the European defence tech sector.
Website:
https://sifted.eu/articles/uk-defence-raid-rapid-ai-in-defence-taskforce
How does this impact UK manufacturing startups?
Early AM: 15th June 2026
Stephen Bennington is a guest on both BBC Radio 5 and, less than an hour later, BBC Radio 4. Listen below.
Programme:
BBC Radio 5 “Wake up to money”
15 June 2026
- Stephen’s segment: 29:14-33:5
- US military setup to work with innovative companies which is much more complex in UK.
- Q5D wins US defence contract.
- In UK procurement systems need to be more open to innovative solutions.
Programme:
BBC RADIO 4 “Today”
15 June 2026
- Stephen’s segment: 24:14-28:10
- Uncertainty in UK Government defence investment delay. Q5D looking to US and EU where investment is secured.
- Benefits of agility from US military for procurement.
- Potential benefits of investment bank for UK and Europe.
