This website will offer limited functionality in this browser. We only support the recent versions of major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

Defence

We have the most experienced defence practice in the UK, working across maritime, air, land and communications & cyber.

defence sector represented by an army soldier looking through binoculours
Go to section
Overview Expertise Our team What others say Insights

The defence sector is changing quickly in an increasingly multipolar, fragmented and contested world. The UK’s defence sector is integral to protecting the security of our nation and our defence partners across the world.

We offer in-depth, specialist legal advice on UK government defence contracts, defence procurement law, Defence Infrastructure, defence mergers and acquisitions, and defence regulatory matters. We also work internationally for other defence ministries and private sector suppliers.

Our expertise covers all aspects of the defence sector, including advising on: Single Source Contract Regulations; commercial; nuclear; regulated public procurement; international collaborations; cybersecurity; technology; intellectual property; project finance; employment; pensions; real estate; planning; construction; export control; subsidy control; competition; disputes; joint ventures; tax; and environmental matters.

Areas of expertise

Our maritime experience

  • UK Ministry of Defence: Nuclear Submarine Programmes, including design, build, in-service and disposal phases and infrastructure and capability development.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Type 31 Frigate Programme.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Type 45 Power Improvement Programme.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Astute Class Training Service.
  • Tier-2 Contractor: Major systems for the Type 26 Frigate Programme.
A Scottish submarine

Our air experience

  • UK Ministry of Defence: National Tempest fighter jet programme and International Global Combat Air Programme.
  • Ascent (Babcock and Lockheed Martin): UK Military Flying Training System.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Joint venture proposal to the US Department of Defence in relation to maintenance and support of the F-35 fighter jet.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Search and rescue and support helicopter services in the Falkland Islands.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Long-term coexistence of windfarms and Air Defence detection capability.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Construction of munitions stores at RAF Lakenheath.

Our land experience

  • UK Ministry of Defence: Collective Training Transformation Programme.
  • Force Protection Inc. and Supacat Limited: Competitive tenders for mine-protected vehicles in both the UK and Australia.
  • DISCS (a joint venture between Babcock and DHL): Bid for the MOD’s Logistics Commodities & Services Transformation Programme.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Contracts for the provision of simulators in relation to Armoured Vehicle Training Services.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Next Generation Munitions Solution.
defence with an army soldier looking through binoculours

Our communications and cyber experience

  • UK Ministry of Defence: Skynet 5 satellite PFI project, including launch of Skynet 5C and Skynet 5D satellites.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Competition to appoint Skynet services contractor.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Procurement of Skynet 6A satellite, Skynet Enduring Capability satellites, next generation terminals and modems.
  • Middle East Government: Procurement of military hardened satellites.
  • Major European defence company: Contracts in the Middle East for the supply of IT infrastructure.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Procurement of deployable LAN under TRINITY project.
space and satellite above the earth

Overview

Since the introduction of the Defence Reform Act 2014 and the Single Source Contract Regulations 2014, we have been advising clients on how to navigate and apply the regulatory regime in ways that meet their business or policy objectives.

We advise on all aspects of Qualifying Defence Contracts and Qualifying Sub-Contracts, including pricing and incentivisation, contract amendments, contract and supplier reporting, transparency, referrals to the Single Source Regulations Office, sub-contracting, international issues and changes resulting from regulatory reform. 

Our experience

  • UK Ministry of Defence: Nuclear Submarine Programmes, including design, build, in-service and disposal phases and infrastructure and capability development.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Single source procurement of Skynet 6A satellite system from Airbus.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Infrastructure development at BAE Systems site at Barrow-in-Furness and Babcock’s site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.
  • UK and multinational contractors: Application of the Defence Reform Act and Single Source Contract Regulations to major UK and international programmes.

Our defence infrastructure experience

  • UK Ministry of Defence: Infrastructure development at BAE Systems site at Barrow-in-Furness.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Infrastructure development at Babcock’s site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.
  • UK’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation: Advising on major infrastructure portfolio management and disposal.
  • UK’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation: Soft FM Services contract for the North of England.

Our maritime experience

  • UK Ministry of Defence: Nuclear Submarine Programmes, including design, build, in-service and disposal phases and infrastructure and capability development.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Type 31 Frigate Programme.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Type 45 Power Improvement Programme.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Astute Class Training Service.
  • Tier-2 Contractor: Major systems for the Type 26 Frigate Programme.

A Scottish submarine

Our air experience

  • UK Ministry of Defence: National Tempest fighter jet programme and International Global Combat Air Programme.
  • Ascent (Babcock and Lockheed Martin): UK Military Flying Training System.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Joint venture proposal to the US Department of Defence in relation to maintenance and support of the F-35 fighter jet.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Search and rescue and support helicopter services in the Falkland Islands.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Long-term coexistence of windfarms and Air Defence detection capability.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Construction of munitions stores at RAF Lakenheath.

Our land experience

  • UK Ministry of Defence: Collective Training Transformation Programme.
  • Force Protection Inc. and Supacat Limited: Competitive tenders for mine-protected vehicles in both the UK and Australia.
  • DISCS (a joint venture between Babcock and DHL): Bid for the MOD’s Logistics Commodities & Services Transformation Programme.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Contracts for the provision of simulators in relation to Armoured Vehicle Training Services.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Next Generation Munitions Solution.

defence with an army soldier looking through binoculours

Our communications and cyber experience

  • UK Ministry of Defence: Skynet 5 satellite PFI project, including launch of Skynet 5C and Skynet 5D satellites.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Competition to appoint Skynet services contractor.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Procurement of Skynet 6A satellite, Skynet Enduring Capability satellites, next generation terminals and modems.
  • Middle East Government: Procurement of military hardened satellites.
  • Major European defence company: Contracts in the Middle East for the supply of IT infrastructure.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Procurement of deployable LAN under TRINITY project.

space and satellite above the earth

Overview

Since the introduction of the Defence Reform Act 2014 and the Single Source Contract Regulations 2014, we have been advising clients on how to navigate and apply the regulatory regime in ways that meet their business or policy objectives.

We advise on all aspects of Qualifying Defence Contracts and Qualifying Sub-Contracts, including pricing and incentivisation, contract amendments, contract and supplier reporting, transparency, referrals to the Single Source Regulations Office, sub-contracting, international issues and changes resulting from regulatory reform. 

Our experience

  • UK Ministry of Defence: Nuclear Submarine Programmes, including design, build, in-service and disposal phases and infrastructure and capability development.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Single source procurement of Skynet 6A satellite system from Airbus.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Infrastructure development at BAE Systems site at Barrow-in-Furness and Babcock’s site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.
  • UK and multinational contractors: Application of the Defence Reform Act and Single Source Contract Regulations to major UK and international programmes.

Our defence infrastructure experience

  • UK Ministry of Defence: Infrastructure development at BAE Systems site at Barrow-in-Furness.
  • UK Ministry of Defence: Infrastructure development at Babcock’s site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.
  • UK’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation: Advising on major infrastructure portfolio management and disposal.
  • UK’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation: Soft FM Services contract for the North of England.

Our team

View all
01
19

What others say

“The team is made up of seasoned professionals with the experience and agility to deal with complex matters”

Chambers UK 2024

“The team is excellent, agile and super client-focused. They are creative and able to look at issues from multiple perspectives in order to develop the best way forward. ”

Legal 500 UK 2024

“Well coordinated team, with obvious team harmony. Puts in the hard work to do a first class job. Gets great results. Renowned experts in the defence sector.”

Legal 500 UK 2023

01
03

Insights

01
09