UK Defence Investment Plan - Industry not a peripheral stakeholder

UK Defence Investment Plan - Industry not a peripheral stakeholder

July 1, 2026By Seawork Press FP
SMI
Society of Maritime Industries
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Seawork supporter, the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) has welcomed the publication of the UK Defence Investment Plan, saying it recognises the considerable effort behind it.

According to SMI, the task now is turning intent into capability, stating that to realise this will require:

▪️ A clear pathway to 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035, giving industry the confidence to invest.

▪️Industry to be represented as a true delivery partner, not a peripheral stakeholder, with earlier and more open engagement.

▪️High-level commitments translated into specific, funded programmes with genuine routes to market.

▪️Support for the SMEs across the supply chain, where much of the sector's innovation begins and where a credible, sustained pipeline is what allows capability to be built and endure.

SMI Chief Executive Officer, Tom Chant MBE said, “Where funding is finite, the earlier and more openly industry and the MOD work together, the better the outcomes – with industry recognised not as a peripheral stakeholder, but as a true delivery partner helping turn investment into the integrated capability on which the nation’s security depends.

"The Society of Maritime Industries stands ready to support that collaboration.”

Seawork and Speed@Seawork exhibitor, sponsor and supporter;  Society of Maritime Industries (SMI)