British defence supplier RC Fornax is positioning itself as a key player in the evolving defence sector by leveraging innovative engineering approaches designed to enhance performance and accelerate project outcomes. The Bristol-based company recently secured a role within a specialist group led by Thales UK, providing engineering packages focused on sonar and naval architecture for ships’ underwater operations and vessel designs.
Founded six years ago by Royal Air Force veterans Paul Reeves and Daniel Clark, RC Fornax employs a team of 69 and operates primarily as a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) integrator. The company’s model aims to bridge the gap between the defence procurement community and smaller suppliers, streamlining collaboration through a clear and compliant Statement of Work framework supported by bespoke technology.
Chief Executive Paul Reeves highlighted how RC Fornax differentiates itself by managing projects from inception to delivery using tailored teams drawn from a community of over 3,000 engineers with expertise across systems, software, and hardware engineering. “We operate as a trusted partner rather than a transactional supplier,” Reeves said, emphasizing the company’s focus on taking full accountability for delivery, which helps reduce programme risk and accelerates timelines within complex environments.
RC Fornax’s flexible approach allows it to rapidly deploy specialist teams matched to specific project requirements, integrating smaller businesses into a single delivery model. This consolidation is said to reduce procurement complexity, shorten supply chains, and boost SME participation in defence programmes. The service is free to SMEs, with larger clients subscribing to access its digital tools, which include SME Procure—an application that maps capability needs to suppliers—and SmartScope, which breaks down larger projects to identify the best suited providers.
The company forecasts £5.1 million in sales for 2022, driven by increased demand linked to the UK government’s commitment to autonomous warfare and greater SME involvement in defence contracts. RC Fornax’s technology and delivery model have also attracted clients in the UK space sector, including businesses focused on clearing extraterrestrial debris, as well as in the nuclear industry.
Last year, the business raised £3.4 million through a listing on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM), expanding its shareholder base and supporting plans for scaling operations. Reeves noted the government’s Defence Investment Plan and rising interest in drones as key drivers for future engagement with manufacturers in those areas. He affirmed the company’s commitment to supporting defence readiness and national security across land, sea, and air domains.