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
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...
SWRDSC May Member Event at the National Drone Hub
Day 1 of our 2 day Member Event in Cornwall! 14th May 2026 | National Drone Hub Join us at the National Drone Hub at Predannack for an exclusive networking event hosted by South West RDSC, where we will have a chance to explore the expertise and capability to securely...
SWRDSC Member Event at Goonhilly
Day two of the May Member Event. Join us on May 15th at the iconic Goonhilly Earth Station for an insightful gathering hosted by SWRDSC. This exclusive event, designed for our members, delves into the pivotal role of the space domain and satellite communications in...
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.