The Government Commercial Agency has announced plans to expand the Defence and Security Accelerator's (DASA) Defence Innovation Partnerships (DIPS) programme, inviting smaller suppliers to bid for a £2.9 billion defence tech framework. This move aims to reach beyond Ministry of Defence (MoD) buyers and traditional big-name suppliers, promoting competition and innovation in the defence sector.
The DIPS programme provides a framework for defence and security innovation, allowing suppliers to collaborate with the MoD on projects that address key defence challenges. The expansion of the programme will enable smaller suppliers to compete for contracts and collaborate with the MoD on defence innovation projects.
Defence procurement minister, Baroness Goldie, stated that the Government is committed to promoting competition and innovation in the defence sector. 'This expansion of the DIPS programme will enable more suppliers to collaborate with the MoD on defence innovation projects, driving competition and innovation in the sector,' she added.
The announcement comes as the Government seeks to boost innovation and competitiveness in the defence sector. The MoD has been working to modernise its procurement practices, with a focus on promoting competition and innovation.
The opposition has welcomed the announcement, with Labour's shadow defence procurement minister, Toby Perkins, stating that the expansion of the DIPS programme is a 'step in the right direction'. However, he warned that more needs to be done to address the issues of procurement and innovation in the defence sector.
The Government Commercial Agency has stated that the expansion of the DIPS programme will provide opportunities for smaller suppliers to collaborate with the MoD on defence innovation projects. This move is expected to drive competition and innovation in the defence sector, ultimately benefiting UK citizens.