South West Regional Defence and Security Cluster
The UK’s first pan-Defence and Security Cluster
About the Cluster and its purpose
The SWRDSC is the first pan-Defence and Security cluster in the UK. It forms a collaboration led by industry and academia with the support of government and its ministerial departments such as the MOD and its innovation directorate, and the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA).
The cluster seeks to aggregate and raise the profile of regional D&S capability to stimulate greater sector knowledge, business, economic growth and productivity across the South West region. It will attract businesses of all scales with an interest in D&S to deliver new sector and cross-sector capability. It aims to apply a ‘Team UK’ approach to enable more joined up working between industry, academia and government, providing an efficient and accessible route to industry curation and the region’s D&S value chain.
Collaboration
The SW RDSC shall provide access to a greater pan-sector network and provide opportunity for collaboration
Funding Streams
Unlocking the path to engage with key stakeholders and funding bodies, for tradition and non-traditional defence suppliers
South West
Full membership is open to Organisations in the regions of Cornwall & IoS, Heart of the South West, and Dorset LEP
NEWS & EVENTS
NO EVENT IN AUGUST 2026
The South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster (SWRDSC) will not be hosting any events during August 2026. This planned pause accounts for the holiday period, the event schedule will resume from September 2026, with new thematic sessions, member showcases, and...
Defence in Focus: SWRDSC July Members’ Showcase
SWRDSC is excited to announce the details of the SWRDSC Defence Showcase Event at the Defence BattleLab, hosted by Dorset Council and Dorset Innovation Park. Designed to bring together the region’s leading innovators, industry partners, and government...
SWRDSC April Member Event at the Army Flying Museum
When? 16th April 2026 Where? Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop This event brings together industry leaders, SMEs, researchers, and defence stakeholders for an afternoon dedicated to land autonomy—from intelligent mobility and uncrewed ground systems to AI-enabled...
MEMBERSHIP
- Membership of the SW RDSC is open to traditional and non-traditional D&S businesses, Higher Education and research institutions.
- The Cluster’s geographical boundaries for membership are related to the coverage of Cornwall and Isle of Scilly, Dorset and Heart of the South West LEPs.
Reach Us
Contact the SWRDSC
@southwestrdsc
Contact Us
Get updates from the SWRSDC
Sign up and apply to join the SWRDSC now to be added to the South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster’s mailing list.