The UK sets a 2028 target to lift defence spending with smaller suppliers.

UK defence-industry minister Luke Pollard said the Ministry of Defence is targeting a 50 percent increase in spending with small and medium-sized enterprises by summer 2028, equivalent to an additional £2.5 billion. He also said a Defence Finance Investment Strategy will follow the autumn budget and announced a defence investment summit for December.

The figures are policy targets stated in a ministerial speech, not completed procurement or capital already distributed. Delivery will depend on later financing rules, contracts and supplier access. The speech framed private investment and government purchasing as parts of a broader industrial-readiness plan.