UK launches defence and security semiconductor paper
The UK's All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Semiconductors launched a new paper, 'Defence and National Security: Delivering a Sovereign Semiconductor Capability', in Parliament on Tuesday 15 September 2026.
The paper highlights how growing geopolitical uncertainty and pressure on global supply chains are making secure access to trusted semiconductor technologies an increasingly important national security priority.
It also highlights the UK's strengths in compound semiconductors, photonics and semiconductor design, while setting out recommendations to strengthen sovereign capability, improve supply-chain resilience, address skills shortages and better align defence, industrial and semiconductor policy.
The paper is clear that the UK's future defence and security capabilities will depend increasingly on access to trusted semiconductor technologies. Recognising semiconductors as strategic national infrastructure, and investing in the sovereign capabilities that support them, will be critical to strengthening the UK's security, resilience and long-term economic growth.
The launch reception featured speeches by Ruth Jones MP, Chair of the APPG, alongside Stephen Kinnock (Secretary of State for Wales), Luke Pollard (Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry), and Kanishka Narayan (Minister for Artificial Intelligence).
Drew Nelson (founder of compound semiconductor firm IQE), chair of the APPG's Advisory Board, and Antony Calvert, managing director of CalComms, which provides secretariat services to the APPG, also addressed attendees.
The event also showcased the breadth of expertise supporting the APPG's work, with representatives from organisations including NetZero Semiconductors, CSconnected, Vishay Intertechnology, KLA, Oxford Instruments, Octric Semiconductors, Microwave Inspection Technologies, University of Cambridge, National Epitaxy Facility, Swansea University, MBDA, and Leonardo, all being in attendance at the event, with many contributing towards the development of the paper.
Throughout the reception, speakers highlighted the importance of the UK's semiconductor sector as a critical enabler of future economic growth, technological leadership, defence capability and national resilience. Ministers also underlined the increasingly important role that semiconductor technologies play in supporting the UK's defence and security priorities, particularly as geopolitical competition intensifies and global supply chains face growing pressure.
The reception marked an important moment for continued engagement between Parliament and the semiconductor sector as the UK seeks to translate strategic ambition into practical delivery.
Members of the APPG's Advisory Board include: Drew Nelson (NetZero Semiconductors), Wyn Meredith (CSconnected), Andrew Evans (KLA), Sam Evans (Vishay Intertechnology), Jon Heffernan (National Epitaxy Facility), Chet Babla (Octric Semiconductors), Rachel Oliver (University of Cambridge), Paul Meredith (University of Swansea), Alex Stewart (Bessemer Society), Robin Sloan (Microwave Inspection Technologies), Steven Baker (Oxford Instruments), Robert Bowman (Queen’s University), Richard Price (Pragmatic Semiconductors), and Claire Valoti (Plessey Semiconductors).
