Ministry of Defence Commercial - Commercial X

About Commercial X

Commercial X acquireswas innovativea militaryprogramme capabilityset whichup createsby advantagethe andMinistry increasesof valueDefence to(MOD) Defence​.

Commercialin X2022. willIts changemission MODis procurementto processesget byground-breaking focussingtechnologies onand digitalinnovation solutions.

Video:into Whatthe isMinistry Commercialof X?Defence’s hands, faster. 

CommercialIt Xdoes officers:this with:

• usea newteam freedomsof commercial officers experienced in procuring innovation and adigital differentsolutions; approachthey work directly with frontline teams to riskdeliver contracts up to create£50 innovativemillion commercialand approachesunder 2 years pace
• developa alternativeteam routesof business change specialists who trial improvements to marketcommercial andprocesses that encouragecan approacheshelp fromspeed smallup procurements and mediumreduce sizedbarriers enterprisesto (SMEs)entry for small businesses
• sharea bestspecialist practiceskills development programme that aims to build the commercial officer of the future, by upskilling them in contracting for projects where the end deliverables evolve or are unknown

Commercial XX’s work is workingstrongly withaligned suppliers to addressthe entry6 barrierspriority outcomes set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy.

Dina Kakaras is the Head of Commercial X and reports directly to MODJim Carter, Director General for SMEs.Commercial and Industry of the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group.

Video: What is Commercial X?

Why Commercial X existswas set up

TechnologyCommercial isX developingwas atset paceup to tackle several problems facing the Ministry of Defence:

• the long lead times from identifying a requirement to getting a contract signed
• the challenges micro, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) face working with Defence needsdue to adoptits commercialcomplex approachesstructure thatand canprocesses
• the exploitdifficulty changingscaling technology.promising concepts and prototypes for operational use

Commercial X promoteshave thisbeen with:

• newgiven freedoms not usually available to operate
commercial teams including:
• simpler governance
• redesignedapproval processes
• supportinggreater technologyfreedom to take risks
• apermission teamfrom ofsenior leaders to reimagine commercial officersprocesses trainedand topilot operatenew withinways thisof modelworking

They also work to a set of values that include challenging norms, embracing risk, proactively solving problems and retaining a laser-like focus on delivering what Defence needs.

HowWhat Commercial X workshas delivered

Some of Commercial X’s deliverables are listed below. All of them have been achieved through close collaboration with other MOD teams and/or industry.  

580 contracts signed

As of December 2025, Commercial X willhas bringdelivered new580 technologiescontracts with an average time to userscontract faster.of It31 willdays, speed47% upfaster deliverythan andaverage ensuretimelines thatfor frontsimilar lineprocurements. forces£74 million in financial savings have thebeen achieved through robust negotiations with suppliers. Recent notable contracts include: DragonFire, Hypersonics and RAF Brize Norton.

Creation of small business-friendly buying routes

The Neutral Vendor Framework for Innovation and Dynamic Market (access via Defence Sourcing Portal) are 2 new platforms where suppliers can compete for contracts in technology theyand needinnovation. They are always open to meetjoin changingand requirements.have Commerciala Xsimple, willfast alsoonboarding expandprocess.

Development deliveredof simplified terms and conditions (T&Cs)

A set of short, simply worded T&Cs designed for small businesses and low complexity contracts where the default legal provisions do not apply.

Publicising technology acrosscontracts in Defence

A new GOV.UK page listing some of the places where suppliers can bid for technology and makeinnovation contracts, making it partclear if they’re open to join and how.

Automating commercial processes

Development of the MOD’sCommercial newAcquisition DigitalTool backbone.(CAT): a single location where all commercial activity is logged. It has automated basic tasks, improved data collection and sped up processes.

How to getbuy involvedAI asguidance and training

Co-developed with The Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre and a supplierfirst of its kind for Defence, it has been widely shared across government and NATO.

• Skills Development Programme

  An immersive programme that upskills MOD commercial officers in how to buy experimental new technologies. The first recruits joined in March 2025.

  Security clearance myth buster for SMEs Procurement

  Addresses some of the most common misconceptions SMEs have about getting clearance so they don’t self-select out of Defence opportunities (coming soon).

  We have also participated in discussions around national security, such as an  event at MODthe –House informationof Lords, chaired by Lord Cromwell, that explored how the UK can protect troops from the growing threat of drones.

  How Commercial X has been received

  Commercial X has a strong focus on sellingcustomer goodssatisfaction orand servicesthe team is grateful to have been recognised for their commitment.

  In 2024, Former Second Parliamentary Secretary Paul Lincoln gave evidence at the MinistryHouse of Defence

• TheLords AI Weapons Systems Committee sharing that Commercial X is speeding up procurement processes at the MOD. In 2025, the Defence SourcingCommittee Portalreport on Developing AI Capacity & Expertise in Defence - reported that Commercial X has had “significant success in simplifying commercial processes for smaller businesses.”

  Most recently, Commercial X was featured as a best practice case study in the officialgovernment’s sourceDefence Industrial Strategy and Dina Kakaras, Head of advertisedCommercial contractsX, fromwas invited to meet with The Chancellor to share the team’s work.

  Further information 

  • Procurement at MOD – information on selling goods or services to the Ministry of Defence
  • Find contracts in technology and research and development with the Ministry of Defence

  Contact us

  Email:If DefComrcl-ComrclX@mod.ukyou have a question or suggestion for how Commercial X can make it easier to work with Defence, email DefComrcl-ComrclX@mod.gov.uk