Our international Defence & Security team contributes to the global 2025 edition of 'Lexology Panoramic: Defence & Security Procurement’

The annual publication provides excellent expert analysis on how to navigate defence procurement, including the regulatory environment, hot topics on contracting, export control, dispute resolution, anti-corruption, employment law and more.

An overview of the global defence & security market

The global landscape over the past year continues to experience both rapid technological advancements and shifting geopolitical landscapes. The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and persistent instability in the Middle East underscore the complex and volatile nature of international relations today. The past year has also seen a significant global election year, with the upcoming period of political transition adding an additional layer of unpredictability to an already complex global security environment. 

In this context, countries are reassessing their defence strategies and capabilities. Nations worldwide are allocating more resources to their defence budgets. There is an increasing focus on defence in the private sector, with smaller, specialised defence technology companies seeing success in funding rounds and in securing government contracts. 

With regard to technological advancements, continued improvements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are already shaping the future of the defence sector. The past year has seen successful trials of AI-piloted military aircraft and enhanced capabilities of autonomous drones. Protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive information from cyber threats, which are increasingly prevalent due to AI advancements, is a top priority globally and is reflected in a global regulatory transformation in this area. 

The defence and technology sectors, along with most other sectors, depend on intricate global supply chains, and instantaneous communication. Ensuring the resilience of these supply chains and the security of satellite infrastructure has become critical. Achieving this will require continued and strengthened international co-operation.   

We express our concern for all those impacted by conflict globally and hope for a swift resolution to the violence and a de-escalation of the geopolitical tensions currently affecting many regions.

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Reproduced with permission from Law Business Research Ltd. This guide was first published in Lexology Panoramic: Defence & Security Procurement 2025 (Published: January 2025).