18 September 2026
Defence Holdings Secures Second UK Government Contract, Advancing Commercial Execution
Defence Holdings PLC (LSE: ALRT), the UK's software-led defence technology group, today announces that it has secured its second customer contract with the UK Government, following completion of the contracting process referenced in the Company's previous updates to the market.
The contract represents the Company's second customer engagement with the UK Government in recent months and marks further progress in the commercial execution of the Defence Holdings Operating Model.
Highlights
●Second customer contract secured with the UK Government
●Initial six-month pilot commencing immediately
●Engagement structured similarly to the Company's first UK Government contract
●Defence Holdings will work directly with customer stakeholders throughout the initial pilot period
●Contract represents further progress in translating customer engagement into contracted delivery
Second UK Government Contract
The Company has now completed the contracting process in relation to the second UK Government customer engagement referenced in its previous updates to the market.
The engagement will comprise an initial six-month pilot, structured similarly to the Company's first UK Government engagement. Delivery will commence immediately, with Defence Holdings working directly with customer stakeholders throughout the initial pilot period.
Due to the confidential and security-sensitive nature of the engagement, there are limitations on the information the Company is able to share with the market at this time. Accordingly, the Company is unable to disclose the specific customer requirements, operational application, commercial value or other sensitive details relating to the engagement.
Strategic Importance
The award represents further progress in Defence Holdings' transition from capability development into customer delivery and provides the Company with a second opportunity to work directly alongside UK Government stakeholders against defined customer requirements.
The Company's approach is centred on developing sovereign software capabilities directly alongside customers, enabling technologies to be shaped against real-world requirements and providing a pathway from initial development and testing towards wider operational adoption.
The addition of a second UK Government customer engagement provides further evidence of the Company's ability to translate its technology capabilities and customer relationships into contracted activity.
Operating Model Execution
The contract represents another important step in the execution of the Defence Holdings Operating Model and builds on the commercial progress demonstrated through the Company's first UK Government engagement.
Understanding the sovereign defence technology ecosystem in the UK allows us to identify the highest potential investment portfolio at the same time as building products that address customers' problems that have not yet been solved. This will also allow us to build a diversified portfolio of equity and revenue.
With two revenue-bearing UK Government customer engagements now secured, the Company is increasing the level of contracted delivery across the Group whilst continuing to develop its sovereign software capabilities directly alongside end users.
The Board believes this approach provides Defence Holdings with a clear pathway to accelerate capability maturity, deepen customer relationships and progress technologies from development into operational and commercial adoption.
Andrew Roughan, CEO of Defence Holdings, commented:
"Securing our second contract with the UK Government represents another important step in the execution of our strategy and demonstrates continued progress in converting customer engagement into contracted activity.
"Our approach is built around working directly with customers to understand their requirements and develop sovereign software capabilities against real-world need. This second engagement gives us another opportunity to do exactly that, working alongside customer stakeholders throughout the initial pilot period.
"With two UK Government customer engagements now secured, we are continuing to build the commercial foundations of Defence Holdings whilst ensuring our technology roadmap remains closely aligned to evolving customer requirements."
About Defence Holdings PLC (ALRT)
Defence Holdings PLC (LSE: ALRT) is the UK's first listed software-led defence company. Its five-year strategic plan focuses on delivering sovereign digital capabilities across national security, resilience, and defence readiness.
Media Enquiries
Andrew Roughan, Director
Defence Holdings PLC
Tel: +44 (0)20 3855 5551
Email: press@defenceplc.com