The UK is witnessing the launch of its first managed drone purchasing platform

• Drone Major, a leading UK-based drone consultancy, has unveiled the world’s first managed procurement platform for the global drone industry.
• This innovative platform aims to simplify procurement processes and open up large-scale project opportunities for UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to participate in major drone and robotics initiatives that were previously out of reach.
• The platform connects global vetted suppliers with buyers in the B2B market, and provides end-to-end supply chain management, including bid evaluation, regulatory compliance, logistics, and final delivery.
• This initiative is expected to enhance supply chain independence, reduce dependence on China, and support the UK’s ambition to become a global leader in drone innovation.

Drone Major has launched a first-of-its-kind managed procurement services platform for the global drone industry, which will help strengthen British procurement and drive innovation across small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK drone sector.

The launch of the new managed procurement platform will enable buyers and suppliers in the UK drone industry to efficiently accelerate major projects and open up new opportunities for SMEs to engage in large-scale projects that were previously inaccessible.

Drone Major, which received UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval for the UK’s first beyond-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone flights over the UK’s critical national infrastructure in May 2025, has leveraged its existing supplier platform to connect global suppliers with high-value procurement opportunities in robotics, drones and unmanned systems.

Robert Garbett, founder and CEO of Drone Major, commented on the new launch: “The UK has talent and technologies, many of which exist within our SME base, but lacks the mechanism to bring them to the front line effectively. The launch of our new platform represents a huge step forward in empowering UK SMEs and start-ups, giving them a powerful tool to navigate and simplify complex procurement processes in the drone industry.”

“This will help put the UK at the forefront of the global drone industry, while enhancing the independence of the UK’s supply chain… and reducing dependence on China.”

The global drone and robotics market is expected to grow from the current size of £55 billion in 2024 to £121 billion in 2030, presenting UK SMEs with a huge opportunity.

Drone Major’s new platform is centered around the business-to-business marketplace to connect buyers and suppliers globally with trusted, vetted partners in the drone and robotics ecosystem.

It enables end-to-end software delivery, with the Drone Major coordinating the entire supply chain process, ensuring the project is completed on time and within budget. Drone Major will evaluate supplier proposals, select the most capable vendors, then manage the implementation of the entire supply chain, as well as handle compliance and regulatory approval (including harnessing Drone Major’s expertise with BVLOS licensing where needed), project management, logistics, quality control, and final delivery.

Robert Garbett continued: “The new platform showcases the full range of our technical capabilities, enabling us to deliver almost any solution in the unmanned systems space.

“By opening access to key opportunities, we are putting cards in the hands of innovators. This platform will help revolutionize UK procurement – ​​cutting costs, saving time and transforming how organizations interact with the SME supply chain.”