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Drone Major Integrates Contract Finder Pro to Expand UK SME Access to Defence Contracts
On 3 August 2026, London‑based consultancy Drone Major revealed that it has embedded the public‑sector procurement platform Contract Finder Pro into its managed procurement service. The move promises to harness AI‑assisted tools to surface government contract opportunities for small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) in the United Kingdom’s defence and drone markets.
Contract Finder Pro, a UK‑and‑Ireland‑based tender advisory service, delivers real‑time alerts, market analytics and AI‑generated bid‑writing support for public‑sector contracts. By feeding its data into Drone Major’s platform, the company says it will make it easier for suppliers to identify, evaluate and submit bids for projects that were previously hidden behind multiple government portals.
“The UK’s defence and drone sectors are driven by innovative SMEs, but too many public sector opportunities have been obscured beneath layers of bureaucracy,” said Robert Garbett, founder and chief executive of Drone Major. “By integrating Contract Finder Pro into our managed procurement platform, we’re transforming the ability of suppliers to identify, access and compete for government contracts that were previously impossible.”
The partnership arrives as the global drone and robotics market is projected to grow from £55 billion in 2024 to £121 billion by 2030. The UK government’s 2026 Defence Investment Plan, released on 30 June 2026, earmarks £15 billion for defence spending, including £5 billion for drone development and procurement.
Drone Major’s marketplace connects vetted buyers and suppliers worldwide, evaluates bids, selects the most capable vendors and manages the entire supply‑chain execution. Beyond procurement, the firm handles compliance, regulatory approval—including beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) authorisation where required—project management, logistics, quality control and final delivery.
Contract Finder Pro’s AI‑assisted search and bid‑writing tools aim to cut the time and expertise required for SMEs to navigate public‑sector tender processes. By offering real‑time alerts and market analytics, the platform seeks to level the playing field for smaller firms that may lack dedicated procurement teams.
Industry analysts note that the UK’s Procurement Act 2023 and the Defence Investment Plan both emphasise increasing SME participation in public contracts. The new partnership aligns with those policy objectives by making tender information more accessible and by streamlining the bid‑submission workflow.
Drone Major’s CEO said the collaboration would “unlock greater SME participation in major public sector programmes, strengthen the UK’s defence supply chain, and accelerate innovation across the British defence and drone industry.” The company has not yet released any financial data related to the partnership.
The integration is expected to be operational within the next quarter, with the first set of combined data feeds and AI tools available to Drone Major’s existing supplier base. No specific rollout schedule for new users of Contract Finder Pro has been announced.
The partnership is one of several recent moves by UK defence‑related firms to adopt technology‑enabled procurement solutions. Other companies in the sector are exploring similar AI‑driven platforms to improve supplier diversity and reduce procurement cycle times.
At present, the partnership’s impact on contract awards and SME participation remains to be seen. Drone Major will likely report on usage metrics and supplier outcomes in its next quarterly update.
The collaboration reflects a broader trend of digital transformation in defence procurement, driven by the need for rapid innovation, supply‑chain resilience and cost efficiency. As the UK government continues to invest heavily in drone capabilities, the ability of SMEs to compete for contracts will be an important factor in the sector’s growth.
The partnership does not involve a financial transaction between Drone Major and Contract Finder Pro, nor does it create a joint venture. It is a technical integration that allows the two platforms to share data and AI tools.
Drone Major’s next public communication will likely focus on the first year of the integration, including any measurable increases in bid submissions, contract awards and supplier satisfaction. The company has not yet indicated whether it will pursue additional partnerships or expand its platform to other public‑sector markets.
In summary, Drone Major’s integration of Contract Finder Pro is a strategic step aimed at simplifying public‑sector procurement for UK SMEs in the defence and drone industries. The partnership leverages AI tools to surface opportunities, streamline bidding and support end‑to‑end project delivery, aligning with government objectives to broaden SME participation and strengthen the national defence supply chain.
Contract Finder Pro, a UK‑and‑Ireland‑based tender advisory service, delivers real‑time alerts, market analytics and AI‑generated bid‑writing support for public‑sector contracts. By feeding its data into Drone Major’s platform, the company says it will make it easier for suppliers to identify, evaluate and submit bids for projects that were previously hidden behind multiple government portals.
“The UK’s defence and drone sectors are driven by innovative SMEs, but too many public sector opportunities have been obscured beneath layers of bureaucracy,” said Robert Garbett, founder and chief executive of Drone Major. “By integrating Contract Finder Pro into our managed procurement platform, we’re transforming the ability of suppliers to identify, access and compete for government contracts that were previously impossible.”
The partnership arrives as the global drone and robotics market is projected to grow from £55 billion in 2024 to £121 billion by 2030. The UK government’s 2026 Defence Investment Plan, released on 30 June 2026, earmarks £15 billion for defence spending, including £5 billion for drone development and procurement.
Drone Major’s marketplace connects vetted buyers and suppliers worldwide, evaluates bids, selects the most capable vendors and manages the entire supply‑chain execution. Beyond procurement, the firm handles compliance, regulatory approval—including beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) authorisation where required—project management, logistics, quality control and final delivery.
Contract Finder Pro’s AI‑assisted search and bid‑writing tools aim to cut the time and expertise required for SMEs to navigate public‑sector tender processes. By offering real‑time alerts and market analytics, the platform seeks to level the playing field for smaller firms that may lack dedicated procurement teams.
Industry analysts note that the UK’s Procurement Act 2023 and the Defence Investment Plan both emphasise increasing SME participation in public contracts. The new partnership aligns with those policy objectives by making tender information more accessible and by streamlining the bid‑submission workflow.
Drone Major’s CEO said the collaboration would “unlock greater SME participation in major public sector programmes, strengthen the UK’s defence supply chain, and accelerate innovation across the British defence and drone industry.” The company has not yet released any financial data related to the partnership.
The integration is expected to be operational within the next quarter, with the first set of combined data feeds and AI tools available to Drone Major’s existing supplier base. No specific rollout schedule for new users of Contract Finder Pro has been announced.
The partnership is one of several recent moves by UK defence‑related firms to adopt technology‑enabled procurement solutions. Other companies in the sector are exploring similar AI‑driven platforms to improve supplier diversity and reduce procurement cycle times.
At present, the partnership’s impact on contract awards and SME participation remains to be seen. Drone Major will likely report on usage metrics and supplier outcomes in its next quarterly update.
The collaboration reflects a broader trend of digital transformation in defence procurement, driven by the need for rapid innovation, supply‑chain resilience and cost efficiency. As the UK government continues to invest heavily in drone capabilities, the ability of SMEs to compete for contracts will be an important factor in the sector’s growth.
The partnership does not involve a financial transaction between Drone Major and Contract Finder Pro, nor does it create a joint venture. It is a technical integration that allows the two platforms to share data and AI tools.
Drone Major’s next public communication will likely focus on the first year of the integration, including any measurable increases in bid submissions, contract awards and supplier satisfaction. The company has not yet indicated whether it will pursue additional partnerships or expand its platform to other public‑sector markets.
In summary, Drone Major’s integration of Contract Finder Pro is a strategic step aimed at simplifying public‑sector procurement for UK SMEs in the defence and drone industries. The partnership leverages AI tools to surface opportunities, streamline bidding and support end‑to‑end project delivery, aligning with government objectives to broaden SME participation and strengthen the national defence supply chain.
