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 June Member Event
18th June on day two of the Ocean Tech Expo with Maritime Expo. More details to come.
21st January at Porton Science Park
We hope that you all had a fantastic Christmas and a very great start to 2026. 2026 starts with a return to the monthly in-person events, and January will see the Cluster returning to Porton Down Science Campus – home of Dstl - with the day’s event hosted...
SWRDSC February Member Event – 11th February at iAero
SWRDSC February Member Event! This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, exchange ideas, and explore the latest advancements in the defence sector. Set in the innovative surroundings of the iAero Centre, the day promises a blend of...
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.