The Ministry of Defence has begun implementing major procurement and acquisition reforms outlined in the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, Defence Minister Luke Pollard has confirmed.
Responding to questions from Ben Obese-Jecty MP, Pollard said the reforms are being led by the new National Armaments Director, who took up post on 14 October 2025.
He stated that the Ministry is introducing “service-agnostic capability portfolios, aligned with wider departmental reforms” to “increase pace and adaptability, enabling us to maximise the output from our investment, reduce waste and be more market aligned.”
Pollard highlighted the launch of five new commercial pathways “Spiral, Urgent, Design to Cost, Digital & Technology, and Low Complexity Procurement” which will underpin what he described as a “segmented approach to procurement.” A new pathway for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is also being created to simplify contracting, reduce administrative burdens, and expand opportunities for smaller firms.
He added that the Defence Supply Chain Capability Programme will “create greater resilience, speed and adaptability in the supply chain to underpin our warfighting edge and help to drive economic growth in the context of increasing global instability.”
In a related written question, Pollard said the Ministry remains committed to publishing its SME Action Plan “as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the Defence Investment Plan process.”
The plan will aim to deliver a “step-change in SME engagement both directly and indirectly” across the defence sector.
I think most SME’s would prefer orders and not more waffle from MP’s to be honest.
He stated that the Ministry is introducing “service-agnostic capability portfolios, aligned with wider departmental reforms” to “increase pace and adaptability, enabling us to maximise the output from our investment, reduce waste and be more market aligned.” FFS what absolute corporate shite waffle with no actual physical impact on anything other than there own egos and political careers. We all know there’s no money for anything regarding defence and it will just involve making none achievable plans, talking crap and moving the few quid there is about between departments.
See this is where AI is useful:
1. The “Corporate Translator” version:
“In other words, we’re rearranging the same deckchairs faster so it looks like innovation, hoping to squeeze more from less and somehow become ‘market aligned’ while no one notices the chaos.”
2. The “Buzzword Detox” version:
“We’re calling it ‘service-agnostic capability portfolios,’ but really it’s just us winging it faster, wasting less money (hopefully), and pretending that means we’re market aligned.”
3. The “Overly Honest Business Plan” version:
“We’re speeding up the spin cycle on our buzzwords to look adaptable, save some pennies, and act like we know what the market wants. You’re welcome.”
What a time to be alive!
Whoever wrote the response from the MOD should take up a living writing fairy tales – basically a load of words that say very little. Can someone direct me to a site that explains this strategy in basic simple English – Please..