Harwell’s Defence Advantage

Harwell is home to cutting-edge defence and security innovation and technology development. Building on Harwell’s established excellence across multiple sectors, the Defence and Security Cluster brings together small and medium-sized enterprises, academic institutions, industry leaders and government to tackle the most pressing national security and defence challenges.

Our mission is to foster innovation, accelerate adoption, mobilise private finance and strengthen the defence and security supply chain to create sustainable growth opportunities for businesses of all sizes.

We are a founding partner of the Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Chilterns Regional Defence and Security Cluster (OBC RDSC), and work closely with them to further the region’s defence and security capability.

Innovation and technology commercialisation

Foster the development and adoption of cutting-edge and dual-use technologies that enhance UK defence and security capability.

We create more efficient pathways enabling SMEs, academia, industry and government to work closely together to translate research and innovation into deployable defence and security solutions.

Connecting innovation across sectors

Innovation in defence and security extends well beyond traditional military technologies. Alongside deep tech, space, cyber, health, food systems, and nuclear technologies, innovation increasingly spans energy and power systems, advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, sensors and photonics, data and AI, supply-chain and logistics security, climate and environmental security, and economic resilience.

The cluster is designed to bring these sectors together into our connected ecosystem, enabling collaboration between innovators, industry, government, and academia.

Strengthening the SME ecosystem

Nurture a vibrant SME community confident in engaging with the MOD and prime contractors. We improve procurement access and provide targeted funding to drive agility, innovation, and economic prosperity.

Collaboration and partnership building

Work in partnership with government, local authorities, academia, and regional innovation bodies to align regional capabilities with national defence and security priorities and leverage collective expertise.

Communication and market awareness

Through OBC RDSC, strengthen ties with trade bodies and defence industry primes and the MOD, NAD group and others, to improve the flow of information, guidance, and opportunities. We foster trust, visibility, and coherent engagement across industry, MOD, and investors.

Defence supply chain resilience

Support innovation-led development aligned with the UK Modern Industrial Strategy and the Strategic Defence Review. We help build relationships with MOD suppliers and government to ensure efficient defence procurement.