About the Wales Defence & Security Cluster

The Wales Defence & Security Cluster exists to strengthen Wales’ contribution to UK defence and national security by aligning industry capability, innovation and collaboration with real operational demand.

The Cluster brings together Welsh SMEs, primes, technology integrators, academia and public sector stakeholders to create a structured ecosystem capable of delivering scalable, sovereign and future-ready defence capability. It is designed not as a networking forum, but as a disciplined delivery mechanism focused on measurable outcomes, collaborative programmes and strategic growth.

Wales has a strong and growing defence and security footprint across advanced manufacturing, cyber, autonomy, AI, data systems and resilient infrastructure. The Cluster provides a coordinated platform to connect these capabilities, reduce fragmentation and accelerate routes to market.

Our Purpose

The purpose of the Cluster is to:

• Support the growth of a resilient Welsh defence and security industrial base
• Enable collaboration across SMEs, primes and academia
• Align Welsh capability with UK MOD transformation programmes
• Accelerate innovation into deployable operational systems
• Strengthen sovereign capability in emerging technology domains

The Cluster acts as a bridge between industry and government, supporting structured engagement with MOD, UK Government and Welsh Government stakeholders.

Strategic Alignment

The Wales Defence & Security Cluster is aligned to UK defence priorities and transformation initiatives, including modular open architectures, distributed intelligence, autonomous systems and secure data integration.

It supports the development of capabilities relevant to emerging operational constructs such as multi-domain integration, software-defined systems and resilient digital architectures. This ensures Welsh industry remains directly relevant to evolving MOD demand rather than operating at the periphery of national programmes.

The Cluster also plays a strategic role in supporting the Wales Defence Growth Deal, ensuring that investment is directed toward high-impact, sustainable capability development rather than short-term activity.

How We Operate

The Cluster is governed by a Steering Group comprising representatives from across the Welsh defence and security ecosystem. This ensures balanced strategic oversight and coordinated programme development.

Delivery is structured through defined workstreams and thematic focus areas. These may include areas such as autonomous systems, cyber and data security, advanced manufacturing, resilient communications and digital integration.

The Cluster supports:

• Collaborative funding bids
• Joint capability development
• Knowledge sharing and best practice
• Industry-government engagement
• Export and growth initiatives

Our focus is practical collaboration, structured delivery and long-term industrial growth.

Who Should Engage

The Cluster welcomes engagement from:

• Welsh defence and security SMEs
• Prime contractors operating in Wales
• Technology and innovation providers
• Academic institutions and research bodies
• Public sector and policy stakeholders

Participation is designed to be constructive and outcome-focused, contributing to capability development and economic growth within Wales.

Our Ambition

Our ambition is to position Wales as a recognised contributor to UK defence and security capability – not only as a supplier of components, but as a centre of innovation, integration and delivery.

Through structured collaboration, disciplined governance and alignment with national priorities, the Wales Defence & Security Cluster aims to accelerate capability, strengthen sovereign resilience and create sustainable economic growth across Wales.