JF Visits DPRTE In Cardiff

Yesterday (Tuesday) Joint-Forces visited DPRTE, the Defence Procurement Research & Technology Exportability conference and exhibition, held in Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.

 

In 2012 the UK Government published a White Paper, National Security Through Technology, setting out how the MoD would procure technology, equipment, and support to meet the UK’s defence needs, at a cost which is affordable and represents value for money for the UK taxpayer. The annual DPRTE event, a one-day expo supported by the UK’s leading defence procurement organisations and trade associations, attracted both buyers and suppliers, from SMEs through to international corporations, engaged throughout the defence acquisition supply chain and provided an invaluable opportunity to enhance knowledge, collaborate, share best practice and showcase innovation.

After making our way through the ranks of somewhat blinkered protesters – some of whom informed us face-to-face and in all seriousness that our defence forces are only interested in overthrowing the peace-loving peoples of Yemen and Syria, and who seemingly could not comprehend that there were no weapons and ‘instruments of torture’ on sale at what they just knew (they saw it on Facebook and in the Morning Star so it just had to be true) must be an arms fair – JF spent an intriguing day listening to some very interesting speakers in the Knowledge Transfer Zones and networking with old friends in the industry and MoD. Naturally, there was not much hardware actually on display as DPRTE is most definitely not an arms fair but it did provide a fascinating insight into not only how to do business with the UK Defence Procurement Supply Chain but also how specialist UK businesses can export more and grow by trading with friendly overseas governments.

A very informative day indeed.