DPRTE 2026

Overview

DPRTE 2026 connects buyers, suppliers, and policymakers for two days of networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration across all areas of defence acquisition, and is officially supported by the Ministry of Defence.

This two day event (25-26 March 2026) takes place in the context of the recently published Strategic Defence Review, the evolving Defence Industrial Strategy, and the government’s commitment to meet the new NATO target to spend 5% of the UK’s GDP on national security by 2035 with 3.5% to go on core defence and the remaining 1.5% on defence-related areas such as resilience and security.

These priorities will directly shape the event’s programme—delivering expert-led sessions, supply chain insights, and engagement opportunities designed to help suppliers navigate new policies, funding streams, and operational requirements.

Meet the Digital Catapult team at DPRTE 2026

Digital Catapult is proud to be exhibiting at DPRTE 2026. If you are attending the show, do come and meet our team on Stand 206, who will be sharing more about how we are:

• addressing specific supply chain challenges and showcasing tangible impact on the defence sector's through our recent Digital Supply Chain Hub Defence Testbed Accelerator programme
• supporting innovative startups to scale up, with a track record of engaging 267 businesses across 37 projects since 2022 on our Digital Supply Chain Hub programme
• improving UK industrial supply chain resilience through accelerating the practical application of deep tech

Hear from our speakers

In addition to exhibiting, Digital Catapult's Dr Annie Iakovaki and Steven Wood are participating on Day 1 of the official conference programme. Make a date to hear their insights:

• Dr Annie Iakovaki, Head of Industrial Supply Chains is a panelist on the AI & Autonomy: Procurement & Effect in the Digital Era panel, taking place from 15:00-15:35 in the Keynote Arena.
• Steven Wood, Head of Aerospace, Defence & Security is participating on the Integrating AI Across Defence Procurement - From Data to Decision Advantage panel from 11:35-12:10 in the Innovation and Future Defence Technologies Zone.

You can find out more about the full programme by visiting the DPRTE 2026 Pre-Planner.

Register for DPRTE 2026

Visit the DPRTE 2026 website to find out more and book your place

Register here