As part of the Ukrainian defence-tech delegation to the UK, Defence Builder and the founders of nine companies from its ecosystem met techUK in London to discuss closer cooperation between the UK and Ukrainian defence technology sectors and the current needs of the UK defence market.

The delegation included the founders of Sine Engineering, Farsight Vision, Meta Bureau, Trinity Robotics, Oko Camera, MaXon Systems, and Moodro. techUK was represented by Fred Sugden, Associate Director for Defence and National Security, and Jeremy Wimble, Programme Manager for Defence.

techUK is the UK's technology industry association, representing more than 1,150 member companies from every nation and region of the UK, including prime contractors, systems integrators, consultancies and SMEs. Its Defence, Cyber Resilience and National Security programmes connect industry with the Ministry of Defence and the wider national security community. Members working in defence include BAE Systems, Thales, Babcock, QinetiQ, Helsing and Anduril.

For Ukrainian companies entering the UK market, the first value of this relationship is understanding demand. Through its Defence programme, techUK runs early market engagement with the MOD's National Armaments Director Group and Military Strategic Headquarters, where industry discusses future procurement before it is announced, and holds private briefings with senior MOD decision makers, including CTOs. In 2026, this work centres on the Defence Investment Plan and on implementing the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy.

The second is finding local partners. techUK's membership gives Ukrainian companies access to UK primes that integrate smaller companies' technologies, as well as to British SMEs and integrators that can become partners for joint projects, adaptation of products to UK requirements, or local production. The association also runs a dedicated forum for defence SMEs and gives members a platform to present their solutions to government and industry.

Defence Builder and techUK will continue working on specific formats of cooperation.