That’s why we’re proud to have contributed to “A Practical Guide to Working in Defence,” developed by Make UK Defence in partnership with The Business and Commercial division of Lloyds Bank and industry partners like The Ministry of Defence.
Read the full report here: https://www.makeuk.org/insights/reports/practical-guide-working-defence
The guide brings together insight from across the Defence ecosystem to provide practical, actionable advice for businesses looking to enter and grow within the sector.
It reflects a clear industry shift towards greater collaboration, standardisation and transparency - particularly when it comes to supplier assurance.
A growing opportunity, with increasing expectations
As Defence investment continues to rise, SMEs are playing an increasingly important role in delivering innovation and resilience across supply chains.
However, with that opportunity comes expectation.
To succeed, businesses must demonstrate robust capabilities across areas such as cyber security, quality management, financial stability, sustainability and ethical practices.
They must also navigate complex procurement processes and engage with multiple Buyers - often repeating the same information in different ways.
For many SMEs, this creates unnecessary friction.
Simplifying supplier assurance with JOSCAR
We see this challenge every day. Supplier assurance remains one of the biggest barriers to entering and growing within the Defence sector.
That’s why JOSCAR was developed - to simplify and standardise how suppliers demonstrate their capabilities.
JOSCAR provides a single, centralised platform where suppliers can maintain and share their assurance data with multiple Defence Buyers. Instead of completing multiple questionnaires, businesses submit their information once in a format defined by the industry itself.
This reduces duplication, improves efficiency, and helps suppliers engage with Buyers more effectively.
Just as importantly, it gives SMEs a clear understanding of what is expected - turning complex requirements into a structured, manageable process.
From compliance to competitive advantage
Supplier assurance shouldn’t just be about ticking boxes. When approached in the right way, it becomes a foundation for growth.
Through JOSCAR, many businesses use the process to strengthen their internal policies, improve governance, and build greater resilience. It also enhances credibility - signalling to Buyers that they are ready to operate within the Defence sector.
This aligns closely with the focus of the Make UK Defence guide, which highlights not just how to enter Defence, but how to build a sustainable, long-term presence.
A more joined-up approach to Defence
One of the strongest themes in the report is collaboration.
By bringing together organisations across industry, government and finance, the guide reflects a shared commitment to making Defence more accessible to UK businesses.
We see this same collaboration reflected in JOSCAR - where Defence buyers align around a common approach to supplier assurance, creating a more consistent and efficient experience for suppliers.
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