Defence software development
Software development for UK defence SMEs
Last reviewed 06 November 2026
In short
RudraX Technologies is a London software studio that builds software for UK defence SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and the innovation teams of larger primes: working demonstrators, data integration between systems that were never designed to talk to each other, and AI (artificial intelligence) decision support, delivered by a UK-led team and designed from day one to meet the Ministry of Defence's cyber requirements.
From
£4,000
Typical delivery
8–12 weeks
Overview
What we deliver.
RudraX Technologies is a London software studio that builds software for UK defence SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and the innovation teams of larger primes: working demonstrators, data integration between systems that were never designed to talk to each other, and AI (artificial intelligence) decision support, delivered by a UK-led team and designed from day one to meet the Ministry of Defence's cyber requirements.
Why now
Defence buying is opening up to smaller firms. The Ministry of Defence's SME Action Plan (published July 2026) commits to raising its spend with SMEs by 50% by summer 2028, an extra £2.5 billion a year on a baseline of about £5 billion. The Defence Office for Small Business Growth, set up in January 2026, and the new SME Commercial Pathway are meant to reserve more below-threshold contracts for SMEs and split larger requirements into smaller lots.
That creates more chances to win direct work, and more pressure to deliver it to defence standards at SME speed.
What it costs and how long it takes
RudraX projects run from £4,000 to £100,000. A first working version of a product typically ships in 8 to 12 weeks, and a focused integration or connector in 3 to 8 weeks. For a figure for your project, use the cost calculator or book a 30-minute call. We're happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before you share any documents.
Fit
Is this right for you?
Ideal for
- Defence SMEs with a funded innovation project (for example through UK Defence Innovation, the Defence and Security Accelerator or a prime's open call) who need engineering capacity to turn a concept into something that runs.
- Suppliers who have a capability but need it connected: sensor feeds, message formats and interface control documents (ICDs) mapped into one picture.
- Prime and Tier 1 innovation teams who want a small, fast team for a demonstrator before committing a full programme.
Capabilities
What you can ask us to build.
Demonstrators and prototypes
Demonstrators and prototypes that run on real data in front of an assessor, not slideware. We plan the demonstration from the first week and work back from it.
Data integration and interoperability
Adapters that read a protocol or message format, translate it into a common model, and show it on the picture your users already work with.
AI decision support
Models and AI agents that help analysts and commanders sort, summarise and prioritise, with a person making every decision and every recommendation traceable to its source.
Turning a funded prototype into a product
We rebuilt DUCHESS, an AI interviewing system first developed by DIEM Analytics with Defence and Security Accelerator funding, into a multi-tenant commercial platform with zero downtime during the cut-over.
Process
How we work.
01
Secure by design, not bolted on
Per-user sign-in, least-privilege access, internal and admin routes kept off the public internet, secrets kept out of code, and an audit log of every action that changes data.
02
Built for the MOD's cyber model
MOD contracts set a Cyber Risk Profile through the Cyber Security Model, and suppliers must meet the matching Def Stan 05-138 controls and complete the Supplier Assurance Questionnaire. We design and document the software so you can evidence those controls, and we flow the same requirements down to anyone who works on it.
03
UK-led delivery
Every project is run from London. Where a contract requires it, only UK-based staff have access to your data and systems.
04
Cyber Essentials certified
RudraX Technologies Limited holds Cyber Essentials certification.
05
Evidence you can hand to an assessor
Tests that run on every change, replayable test data, release notes and a handover pack.
Credentials
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The Ministry of Defence spends about £5 billion a year with SMEs, roughly a quarter of it through direct contracts, and its SME Action Plan aims to raise that by £2.5 billion by summer 2028. Many SMEs also work through prime contractors' supply chains, where the same cyber requirements flow down.
The MOD's Cyber Security Model sets a Cyber Risk Profile for each contract, from Level 0 to Level 3 under the current version (CSMv4). Suppliers must meet the matching controls in Def Stan 05-138 Issue 4 and complete a Supplier Assurance Questionnaire, now through the Supplier Cyber Protection Service. The MOD says suppliers should expect Defence Cyber Certification, run with IASME, to be required more often.
Yes. We build working demonstrators against a fixed demonstration date, with the scope agreed as a definition of done for each milestone. We have also taken a Defence and Security Accelerator funded system, DUCHESS, through a full rebuild into a commercial platform.
Each person signs in with their own account, access is limited to what their role needs, admin and internal routes are not reachable from the internet, credentials are never shared in chat or email, and changes are logged. RudraX Technologies Limited is Cyber Essentials certified, and we agree data handling and who may access what with you before work starts.
RudraX projects run from £4,000 to £100,000. A first working version usually takes 8 to 12 weeks. The main cost drivers are the number of systems to connect, the accreditation evidence needed, and whether the software must run without an internet connection.
Yes. We sign a non-disclosure agreement before any documents or interface details are shared.
Talk to our team
Scope your Software development for UK defence SMEs project.
Share a few details and we will reply within one working day with a shaped scope, indicative timeline, and the team we would put on it.
- info@rudrax.co.uk
- Headquarters
- London, United Kingdom
- Response time
- Within one working day
Prefer to book a time?
How the intro call works
Everything you need to know before booking
Thirty focused minutes with a senior engineer — no slide decks, no sales pitch. Here's how we make it useful.
- 30 minutes over Google Meet. We'll send a calendar invite with the link once you book.
- A senior member of our team — usually an engineering or product lead — who can scope your project end-to-end and answer technical questions on the call.
- Nothing formal. A short description of the problem you want to solve, any rough timeline or budget, and links to existing products or designs (if you have them) are more than enough.
- All slots are displayed in London time (Europe/London). The calendar invite will adapt to the time zone of your calendar automatically.
- No. The intro call is free with no obligation. If we're a good fit, we'll follow up with a written proposal and fixed-scope plan within two working days.
- If we agree to move forward, you'll receive a written proposal covering scope, milestones, team, timeline and a fixed price. From there, kick-off is typically within 1–2 weeks.
- Yes. Reply to the confirmation email at least a few hours before the slot and we'll reschedule. There is no cancellation fee.
- Happy to. Send your NDA to info@rudrax.co.uk before the slot and we'll have it signed in time for the meeting.
Still have questions? Book the slot — we'll answer everything live.