Defence and Security Technology

BC&A Innovation

R&D Spotlight

The UK’s defence and security sectors are home to some of the country’s most advanced engineering and technological innovation. Whether it’s developing next-generation surveillance systems, improving threat detection software, or engineering high-performance equipment for military, law enforcement, or critical infrastructure, many UK companies in this space are tackling highly complex technical challenges.

R&D tax relief is designed to support businesses making scientific or technological advancements by overcoming technical uncertainties. In defence and security, this often means creating technologies that perform reliably in extreme conditions, integrate with complex systems, or meet rigorous safety and security standards — all of which require extensive research, prototyping, and testing.

Whether you’re a defence contractor, specialist manufacturer, or technology provider, if your work involves solving technical problems that aren’t already solved by off-the-shelf solutions, you could be eligible for R&D tax relief.

Here are some examples of qualifying activities in the defence and security technology sectors:

Developing Advanced Surveillance or Detection Systems

Engineering new radar, sonar, or sensor technologies that improve detection range, accuracy, or reliability in difficult environments, such as low visibility, underwater, or electromagnetic interference zones.

Improving Communications and Signal Processing

Developing secure, high-speed, or low-latency communication systems that perform in battlefield, aerospace, or emergency response scenarios where conventional communications fail.

Enhancing Protective Equipment and Materials

Researching and testing new materials for body armour, vehicle protection, or blast-resistant structures that offer improved safety without increasing weight or compromising mobility.

Developing Secure Software and Cybersecurity Solutions

Creating advanced software to protect critical infrastructure, defence networks, or classified data from cyber threats, including encryption technologies, intrusion detection systems, or secure authentication methods.

Engineering Unmanned or Autonomous Systems

Designing and developing drones, robotic systems, or autonomous vehicles that operate in defence, border security, or hazardous environments, particularly where navigation, control, or reliability challenges must be overcome.

Integrating Complex Multi-System Platforms

Solving engineering challenges in integrating weapons systems, sensors, communication tools, and control interfaces on land, sea, or air platforms.

Meeting Stringent Safety and Compliance Standards

Developing products or systems to meet UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) or international defence standards, particularly when this requires extensive engineering, testing, and validation.

Reducing Environmental Impact of Defence Operations

Researching sustainable alternatives to traditional defence materials, fuels, or equipment, especially where new technologies must maintain or improve operational performance.

If your business operates in the UK defence or security sector and is engaged in activities like these, you may be eligible for R&D tax relief. This incentive helps companies recover a portion of their development costs, supporting the UK’s ongoing commitment to innovation, security, and technological leadership.

Our Process

What to expect when working with
BC&A Innovation

1. Discovery Call

Book your FREE 15 minute discovery call today to discuss your R&D activity and we'll guide you on best next steps and estimated claim value.

2. Information gathering

Our technical experts and industry specialists will work with you to uncover all areas of work activity eligible under the R&D scheme, ensuring we have everything we need to support a robust, defensible and maximised claim.

3. Create R&D Tax Claim

Our technical experts will write your claim and supporting documents with a clear assessment of your eligible activity and costs, ensuring compliance with the scheme's governance throughout.

4. Approval & Submission

We'll share, for your approval, the claim draft and supporting documentation. We'll explain in detail how we have arrived at our assessment of your claimable activity, costs and claim value. When you're happy, your claim can be submitted as part of your standard end-of-year processes.

5. Liaising with HMRC

Should HMRC require any further information or have queries regarding your claim, we'll liaise with them to ensure speedy payment without any reduction in claim value.

6. Payment

Once your payment is received, we'll send it across the same working day and advise you on processes that can be put in place to make future claims even more hassle-free. Don't worry about claims going forward, we'll be in regular contact to remind you what is needed and when.

About BC&A Innovation

We've helped hundreds of businesses like yours secure millions in Research & Development tax relief

Our team recognises the importance of R&D in advancing UK businesses, big and small, and we understand the time burden, resources and complexities of claiming tax relief for that R&D. These constraints often leave companies failing to get the tax relief they’re entitled to or underclaiming significantly due to unclear, often confusing guidelines about what constitutes R&D. As experts in R&D tax relief, we’re here to unblur the lines and create robust, defensible and maximised claims on your behalf.

We’re experienced tax professionals, accountants and technical experts with a deep understanding of the R&D tax relief regulations. We’ve worked in many of the industries we now serve and are ideally placed to understand your business’ R&D Activities. As part of HMRC’s panel on R&D, we stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the guidance, to provide our clients with the most accurate and up-to-date advice.

At BC&A Innovation we take the burden of claim generation away from the business so you can do what you do best, while we do what we do best. We pride ourselves on our integrity, professionalism and commitment to our clients.

Not sure if you qualify for R&D tax relief? Book a FREE discovery call today.

Many of the businesses we work with were unsure if they qualified for R&D tax relief at first. A few had even been told by other agencies that they could not claim. Yet, with our help they were able to correctly identify eligible R&D projects and claim back vital funds.

As experts in HMRC’s definitions of Research & Development, we’ll be able to tell you if you should make a claim or not. We’re success fee based, which means it isn’t in our interest or yours to take forward claims that won’t pass HMRC’s stringent checks. If we say it’s worth doing, you can take that to the bank.

Ready for a discovery call? Think of it as a no-obligation chat where we can discuss the work you’ve undertaken and identify tax-saving opportunities. Our expert consultants are keen to speak with you.