Prime Contractor Registry

SME Engagement

Active SME supplier development programme. Strong interest in deep tech for ISR, satcom, and MALE RPAS (Eurodrone programme). Preferred tech: AI/ML, software-defined payload, quantum sensing.

How to Get In

Contact Airbus DS SME team via supplier portal. Register as a supplier, then request introduction to programme offices.

SME Engagement

Strong EDF participation. Active in DIANA challenges. Leonardo Innovation Hub manages startup engagement, particularly in electronics, EW, and cyber domains.

How to Get In

Leonardo Innovation Hub (hub.leonardo.com) — register and submit your use case. Alternatively, approach national programme offices (DGA Italy via DITECNAV).

SME Engagement

Rheinmetall Electronics and Rheinmetall Landsysteme both run supplier development initiatives. Strong interest in: digital survivability, sensor fusion, autonomous ground systems, software-defined radio.

How to Get In

Register on supplier portal, request vendor qualification. For innovation engagements, approach via CIHBw — Rheinmetall is a key industrial partner.

SME Engagement

Thales runs an explicit 'Defence & Security Innovation Lab' and participates heavily in EDF and NATO DIANA. Particularly interested in: AI/ML, quantum, cybersecurity, digital twin, and edge compute.

How to Get In

Thales D&S Innovation Lab — submit a technology brief via the Thales Open Innovation portal. Strong France-UK focus; approach via DGA or DASA introductions.

SME Engagement

BAE runs the HIVE Innovation Hub and is a key partner of DASA. SME-friendly across all domains but especially active in: autonomous systems, AI-enabled maintenance, cyber, and digital engineering.

How to Get In

HIVE Innovation Hub — submit via HIVE portal or approach via DASA funded partnerships. BAE is also accessible via national CIHBw (Germany) and DGA (France) introductions for European programmes.

SME Engagement

KNDS is primarily a hardware prime — supply chain is largely established. Most accessible for deep tech SMEs through MGCS (Main Ground Combat System) and Franco-German EDF programmes. Approach via DGA (France) or Bundeswehr CIHBw.

How to Get In

No public SME portal. Best approach: DGA-sponsored introductions for French entities, or Bundeswehr CIHBw for German entities. EDF consortium matchmaking events are also effective.

SME Engagement

Saab has an unusually open SME ecosystem for a European prime. Strong interest in: ISR, underwater autonomy, EW, and Nordic resilience technologies. Very active in NATO DIANA and EDF. English is working language.

How to Get In

Saab Ventures and Saab Innovations division handle startup engagement. Submit via supplier portal or reach out to Saab's EDF programme leads. Sweden's SDIP (Swedish Defence Innovation Programme) co-invests with Saab.

SME Engagement

MBDA is highly classified and supply chain access is tightly controlled. SME entry is almost exclusively via EDF-sponsored research consortia or through national MoD introductions. Useful for: novel materials, AI-guided seekers, and miniaturised electronics.

How to Get In

Approach via EDF Research Actions where MBDA is coordinator, or through UK MoD Weapons team / DGA Missiles & Space. MBDA has no public open innovation intake.