The UK government has unveiled its Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) 2025, placing UK steel at the center of national security. For the first time, procurement reforms will allow the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to prioritize domestic steel producers, marking a turning point for the sector long sidelined in defense projects.
Strategic shift in procurement
According to UK-based trade association UK Steel, the publication of the DIS signals a decisive policy change. UK Steel noted that, with the DIS 2025, the UK government is reshaping the rules of defense procurement. By putting steel at the heart of industrial security, the UK strengthens not only its defense capacity but also its economic resilience. Steel is now officially recognized as an “industrial security priority”, breaking from the previous “global competition by default” approach.
Key elements of the new strategy include:
- Support for UK businesses through long-term contracts, procurement reforms and a stronger focus on homegrown supply chains.
- Building resilience by securing domestic manufacturing capacity, stockpiles, and encouraging inward investment into defense-critical industries.
- Fixing procurement processes by simplifying requirements, increasing transparency and engaging industry early in defense planning.
Gareth Stace, director general of UK Steel, welcomed the commitment and said, “For too long, our producers have been overlooked in major defense contracts. The Defence Secretary’s commitment in the DIS is a welcome endorsement of the strategic role of our sector.”
He added that the new Defence Industrial Joint Council will further enhance cooperation between government and industry to showcase UK steel’s capacity to scale, innovate and deliver for defense.