To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many SMEs his Department awarded space defence sector contracts to in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023; and what steps he is taking to improve the ability of SMEs to access space defence contracts.
In 2021 the Ministry of Defence awarded no space defence sector contracts to SMEs; in 2022 we awarded five; and in 2023 we awarded 10. The MOD is supporting UK businesses through our Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Action Plan and wider initiatives wit...
Defence: Space Technology