It targets barriers faced by small and medium-sized enterprises and companies entering the defence market. Multiple layers of approval have prevented some firms from testing their ideas and equipment in realistic conditions.
“We know that limited access to test and evaluation facilities have been holding back smaller businesses and new entrants from working with defence,” said Luke Pollard, minister for defence readiness and industry. “By working hand-in-hand with QinetiQ, we are unlocking British innovation by developing, testing and delivering military capabilities for the UK and our allies at speed.”
Project Safari will bring together government, industry, regulators and technology developers to improve access to specialist facilities and expertise. It also aims to modernise testing infrastructure for a digital environment and reduce delays in decision-making.
“Turning ideas into trusted frontline capability faster than our adversaries is what delivers military advantage and we’ve got to go faster to stay ahead,” said Steve Wadey, QinetiQ’s group chief executive. “Project Safari will transform how the UK approves new technologies, creating a world-leading test and evaluation enterprise that helps government, industry and regulators work together to accelerate the delivery of military capability at the pace demanded by modern warfare.”
### Hebrides range development
During a visit to MOD Hebrides, the UK’s largest weapons test range, Pollard signed an agreement with QinetiQ for the first design stage of a multimillion-pound investment in the site. The planned development will enable testing of hypersonic missiles and other advanced technologies.
The wider programme is intended to accelerate the assessment and refinement of capabilities including directed-energy weapons and autonomous systems. Its aim is to shorten the time between development and deployment.
Pollard and Wadey also met representatives from smaller companies, including Greenjets and Cambridge Aerospace, to discuss their experience of accessing testing services. Pollard separately met MGI Engineering, an Oxfordshire SME competing in Project Brakestop and developing low-cost, long-range weapons for Ukraine.
The initiative supports the Strategic Defence Review’s commitment to increase annual defence spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by summer 2028. It also builds on the Defence Investment Plan, backed by £298 billion in UK defence funding over the next four years.
