Press release: MOD and Defence Industry join the Alliance

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Published 25th August 26

MOD and Defence Industry join Alliance to take defence innovation into groundbreaking civilian market applications

The TAG Alliance is convening government, innovators, academia, industry and investors to turn breakthrough defence technologies into economic growth

 

Porton Down, Wiltshire, 25th August 2026: Ploughshare’s Technology and Growth (TAG) Alliance is gaining momentum less than a year after being announced, with at least three new defence technology spin-outs expected by the end of the year and three major organisations joining its growing membership. Babcock, Frazer-Nash Consultancy and UKRI are welcomed to the Alliance today, bringing together 19 organisations working to take UK defence innovation into wider markets.

The TAG Alliance exists to maximise the impact from the billions of pounds that have been, and continue to be, invested in defence science and technology. The TAG Alliance ensures it reaches all its potential markets and delivers growth for the UK economy and regions. Since its inception, TAG has become a movement across government, industry, academia and investment and is already collaborating, sharing best practice and accelerating the transition of technologies into commercial applications.

The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, Prime Minister, said at the Farnborough Airshow on 21 July, “We are reindustrialising the nation, and we will do it working together with brilliant businesses to drive growth across the country.” The national imperative, and mission of The TAG Alliance, is to turn that ambition into reality, at pace. By unlocking the commercial potential of UK defence invention, The TAG Alliance connects new applications, partners and markets resulting in more spin-outs, licensable products and new ventures across the UK and beyond.

Several new spin-out companies have been formed by members of the Alliance already, including Rho-C by BAE Systems, which takes breakthrough ultrasound technology into demanding industrial environments and StirlingX by GALLOS, who have developed a sovereign intelligence platform that turns multi-sensor data into critical insight for infrastructure.

The TAG Alliance was convened by the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) trusted partner Ploughshare, and brings together nineteen organisations* from across defence, government, industry, academia, and investment. Its website, launched today, is www.tagalliance.co.uk.

 

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said:

“The Technology and Growth Alliance shows how we’re turning defence innovation and investment into growth right across the UK. This government is determined to unlock the full value of defence science and technology, delivering not just for our armed forces but for jobs and businesses in every region.

“With nineteen partners now on board and new spin-outs already emerging, this is exactly the kind of collaboration between government, industry and academia that will drive our reindustrialisation forward.”

 

Rupert Pearce, National Armaments Director said:

“Our supply chain’s creativity, agility and drive make it a powerful strategic asset. By uniting industry, government, academia and investors, the Technology and Growth Alliance is unlocking the dual-use potential of innovative IP and driving new energy into the supply chain. Through the Alliance, Ploughshare and the MOD are growing our defence innovation ecosystem to deliver sovereign capability, industrial advantage and UK-wide economic growth.”

 

 Andrew Haldane CBE, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Innovation has always been a UK strength, and this is especially true in defence. However, the commercialisation and spread of defence innovation and technologies historically has lagged, holding back UK productivity, jobs and growth. The TAG Alliance is a welcome coalition of partners seeking to remedy this problem through cross-pollination of innovation within and beyond defence. At a time of subdued growth but increased R&D on defence, its timing could scarcely be better.”

 

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE, Chair of The TAG Alliance and CEO of Ploughshare said:

“The UK already produces world-class defence innovation. Our challenge is turning more of it into commercial success. By bringing together industry, government, academia and accelerating capabilities including investors, The TAG Alliance will help proven technologies reach new markets, attract investment, and create skilled jobs, delivering lasting economic and societal benefit, particularly across our regions where we see huge potential.”

 

ENDS

 

For more information, please contact The Alligator Pi Agency (the new PR agency for Ploughshare):

Editor’s Notes:

Please find media assets here.

Click here to read Britain’s Next Defence Advantage by Ben White, Director of Industrial Strategy MOD, and Hetti Barkworth-Nanton. In it they expand on the impact of defence innovation and why it is important to turn it into commercial opportunities for both UK growth and the economy.

*The TAG Alliance Membership

 

Ploughshare

Ploughshare was established in 2005 as the MoD’s trusted commercialisation partner. It has brought over 140 technologies to market and created 16 spin-out companies. Ploughshare has exclusive access to the UK government’s defence intellectual property (IP), and work with a wide range of partners across academia, industry, and the public sector to help unlock new and innovative ideas to benefit national security, cyber security, people’s lives, and the planet.

Further quotes:

Ben White, Director Industrial Strategy, Ministry of Defence

“Defence operates in some of the most challenging environments imaginable. These conditions are breeding grounds for innovation. However, innovation only creates value when it moves from an idea into practical reality. The UK has incredible talent and capability, but the challenge is unlocking it and connecting it to the right platforms and communities, and that is exactly the opportunity TAG Alliance represents.”

Robert Merryweather, Group Technology Director, BAE Systems, said:

“The TAG Alliance has provided a framework, and real momentum, around which industry, academia and government can engage to drive further value from defence investment through dual-use exploitation in wider markets. BAE Systems Launchpad initiative has now launched two spin-outs with a healthy pipeline of future opportunities. 

“Through The TAG Alliance we are investigating opportunities to further develop this model by combining our IP, with that of other partners. Creating new businesses is a challenging venture, but The TAG Alliance is bringing the right people together to maximise the probability of success.”

Phil Siveter, CEO, Thales in the UK

“Defence investment produces technology whose value reaches well beyond defence. Thales is proud to be part of The Technology and Growth Alliance, working with partners across industry, government, academia and investors to turn that innovation into new applications, new businesses and growth across the UK. It strengthens sovereign capability, supports high-value jobs, and means the country gets more from every pound it invests in science and technology.”

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