Defence and security

Delivering value and certainty in defence infrastructure.

Heightened geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological advancement present significant challenges for defence and security.

Defence projects can be highly complex and must dovetail perfectly with existing assets and systems, fulfil the needs of diverse stakeholders, and be ready on time and budget.

Establishing development pathways and making effective, timely decisions is vital in enhancing capability now and for the future – to fulfil core defence objectives and benefit the lives of service personnel and the communities they protect.

That’s why an expert partner is needed that can be trusted to deliver value and certainty.

Defence and security markets

Defence and security overview
Air
Defence equipment
Defence nuclear
Land
Maritime

What can we do for you?

We are proud to be a trusted partner for some of the most complex and critical defence and security equipment and infrastructure programmes worldwide, giving our clients what they need to be operationally ready and effective.

Offer clarity of vision. We can help you define the minimum support capability you need, and achieve it through enhanced requirements management, broader identification of options and effective capability risk analysis.

Provide accelerated delivery. Through the effective use of systems engineering, we help our clients phase project delivery and develop risk-based engineering solutions that are aligned with rapid implementation.

Optimise value for money. By adopting optimal delivery models, and focusing on requirements and specifications, we achieve lasting value for our defence and security clients, taxpayers, society and the environment.

Ensure certainty of outcome. We’re committed to technical excellence and innovation. With our deep sector insight, we can develop best-in-class solutions that deliver certainty of outcome for complex mission-critical equipment, infrastructure and estates, and improve operational readiness and resilience.

INSIGHTS THAT ACCELERATE THE DELIVERY OF DEFENCE

Mini-series

Following the UK Government’s Strategic Defence Review, the pressure to deliver defence infrastructure and equipment faster and more efficiently is greater than ever.

This four-part mini-series explores the full project lifecycle, from managing requirements and procurement through to design and delivery, with insights from our brilliant defence experts who work across Strategic Command and all Front Line Commands.

Learn how Mott MacDonald helps defence clients overcome complexity, accelerate timelines and deliver with confidence.

Defining requirements

John Palmer dives into one of defence’s toughest challenges: how to define requirements with enough clarity to move forward, while staying agile in the face of shifting threats and priorities. He shares practical strategies drawn from high-stakes infrastructure projects, showing how early engagement and adaptive planning can keep delivery on track. It’s a fresh look at how defence programmes can stay responsive without losing momentum.

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Pace of procurement

Matt Sellwood reveals how defence procurement can break free from slow, rigid processes by borrowing proven tactics from major infrastructure programmes. From collaborative contracting to smarter market engagement, he shows how to unlock speed without sacrificing rigour. If defence wants to move faster, this is where the shift begins.

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Efficient by design

Mike Smart makes the case for design-led efficiency in defence infrastructure. With billions in investment on the table, he explores how digital tools, modern construction methods and sustainability-first thinking can deliver smarter, leaner outcomes. This is about getting it right from day one and making every pound count.

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Delivering defence differently

John Hansford challenges traditional delivery models and shows how collaboration and systems thinking are changing the game in defence. He highlights how integrated teams and shared purpose are helping clients meet ambitious government targets. It’s a bold, joined-up approach that’s delivering results where it matters most.

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Devonport Royal Dockyard, UK. As part of a collaborative, integrated team, we are delivery partner for modernisation of 10 Dock to meet the deep maintenance needs of the UK’s future submarine fleet.

Services we provide

Advanced defence and security solutions for global challenges

We are world-class engineers with proven leadership in modern methods of construction, climate, carbon and nature – having developed industry standards in all areas. We drive exemplary programme delivery and supply chain management. And we provide digital advice and solutions at an organisation, operation and project level.

We can:

Help our clients formulate a long-term vision for assets and systems that fulfil operational needs while being as resilient as possible to technological, geopolitical and climate uncertainties.
Shape this vision into coherent projects and programmes that are sequenced to maximise benefits and minimise disruption.
Frame business cases with full consideration of economic, social and environmental benefits and costs, to win investment and aid decision making.
Advise on digital technologies and associated organisational change, and how these can enable transformational improvements.
Develop asset management strategies and plans that enable clients to better manage risk and prioritise investment.

We can:

Provide end-to-end delivery of complex and high value programmes, including programme management, project controls and client assurance, to turn your vision into reality.
Draw up commercial strategies, and lead major procurements and contract management, to ensure you get the best from the supply chain.
Manage and oversee construction projects in live operational environments in a way that minimises disruption and allows ongoing capability.
Use a secure common data environment to safely share documents and data with project partners and stakeholders, building trust and collaboration.
Implement best practice cost management, scheduling, estimating and quantity surveying, to ensure your programme runs to time and achieves value for money.
Commission and hand over assets and advise on training and through-life asset management, to achieve a smooth start to each project’s operational life.

We can:

Carry out feasibility studies along with geotechnical, seismic and environmental assessments that lay the foundation for resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
Produce concept, scheme and detailed designs that work for end users now and in the future, building in adaptability to changing needs.
Use digital technologies and automation to optimise designs and provide digital models that assist with the through-life management of assets and systems.
Bring together specialist expertise from multiple disciplines including civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering, with architectural design to provide seamless all-round delivery.
Find innovative solutions that minimise carbon and cost, and add value for society and the environment.
Provide assurance and design management that gives peace of mind in developing solutions.

Our people

Meet the team

Our experience

We have over four decades of defence sector experience, working on land, maritime, air, nuclear and fuelling infrastructure, equipment and strategic programmes across the globe. Recent work has included:

Devonport Royal Dockyard, UK

In partnership with Costain we are the delivery partner, supporting site owner and operator Babcock, for the 10 Dock Modernisation Programme and major infrastructure projects at Devonport Royal Dockyard near Plymouth, UK. The success of this large-scale construction programme is dependent on effective supply chain management and collaboration with the huge number of stakeholders involved.
Five Eyes and NATO

We are defence consultant to the Five Eyes Security Alliance and NATO in support of their domestic and overseas programmes.
HMAS Stirling, Perth, Australia

As part of the AUKUS defence partnership between the UK, the USA and Australia, we’re supporting the developing infrastructure needs for the new Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS class submarines, including the upgrade of an existing submarine base in Western Australia to increase its capability to host nuclear powered submarines.
HMNB Clyde, UK

For over a decade we’ve been a key partner to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Navy Command in delivering the Faslane Nuclear Infrastructure Continuous Availability Programme, updating the nuclear support infrastructure including specialist docking and berthing facilities that service the UK’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
NATO future surveillance and control, global

As part of the Boeing ABILITI Consortium, we helped NATO to define how it will conduct aerial surveillance after the Airborne Warning and Control System fleet is retired in 2035. We conducted roadmapping and assessed the lifecycle costs, risk management and through-life management of more than 20 constituent systems capable of providing future surveillance.
RAF Lakenheath, UK

We acted as the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s delivery partner for the ongoing £350 million F-35 sub-programme, delivering infrastructure for the arrival of the first F-35 aircraft at RAF Lakenheath, which hosts the US Visiting Forces in the UK.
Stewart International Airport, USA

For the 105th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard, based at Stewart International Airport, we helped modernise the corrosion control hangar in support of the C-17 Beddown mission.