Wales to host first major defence and security industry event

Nation.Cymru staff

A major defence and security industry event bringing together businesses, government representatives and investors is to be held in Wales for the first time.

Defence Security Resilience Cymru (DSRC) will take place at the ICC Wales in Newport on September 3 and 4, with organisers expecting around 2,000 delegates from the UK and overseas.

The event is intended to connect companies with organisations buying goods and services for the defence and security sectors, as well as potential investors and employers.

Around 60 exhibitors are expected to attend, including Airbus, the University of South Wales, Wales Innovation Network and the British Business Bank.

Representatives from NATO procurement, Ministry of Defence procurement and UK Export are also due to take part.

The conference comes against a backdrop of increased defence spending and attempts by governments to strengthen domestic defence supply chains.

Organisers say they want smaller Welsh companies, including those which have not traditionally worked in defence, to explore opportunities arising from increased expenditure in the sector.

Businesses working in areas including aerospace, artificial intelligence and technology are among those being targeted, alongside companies providing services which could form part of defence and security supply chains.

Speakers

Welsh Economy Minister Adam Price is among those due to address the conference.

Other speakers include broadcaster and security correspondent Gordon Corera, Scott Milne of General Dynamics Land Systems and Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes.

The programme will include one-to-one “Meet the Buyer” sessions allowing companies to speak directly to organisations seeking suppliers.

There will also be sessions connecting potential employers with workers and an investor pitch programme for businesses seeking finance.

An awards dinner will be held on the evening of September 4, with speakers including Welsh businessman Sir Terry Matthews and former Commander Joint Forces Command General Sir Richard Barrons.

DSRC has been organised by Business in Focus in partnership with General Dynamics Land Systems, trade association ADS Group and the Welsh Government, and with the support of the Wales Regional Defence and Security Cluster.

Business in Focus said one of the aims was to make it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to enter a sector where securing contracts can be difficult for new suppliers.

The event will also cover resilience and industrial capacity as well as conventional defence procurement, reflecting the range of businesses involved in defence supply chains.

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