Choosing the right machining partner for defence components

Published - 23rd Oct 2025

A buyer’s guide to selecting a certified UK machining supplier for defence components

Selecting suppliers in the defence sector demands more than standard procurement practices. Components must perform in some of the most demanding operational  environments, where even a small failure can compromise safety and mission success. Procurement teams therefore need more than just a capable machine shop: they need a trusted machining partner for defence components with proven experience, certified processes, and the ability to deliver uncompromising precision at scale.

This blog outlines the key factors to consider when choosing a machining partner for defence components. It also shows how Metaltech Precision, part of the Expromet Technologies Group, meets these expectations with a combination of advanced CNC machining capability, accredited quality systems and integrated group expertise.

For a broader overview of CNC methods and general machining principles, see our in-depth article on machining services for metal components.

Why machining quality is critical in defence manufacturing

For defence procurement teams, machining quality is essential, ensuring mission readiness and eliminating the risk of failure in critical environments. Components may be exposed to shock, vibration, saltwater corrosion or extreme temperature cycles, and even the smallest defect can cause systems to fail. That is why buyers need machining partners who can guarantee repeatable accuracy, robust process control and full traceability across every stage of production.

Defence programmes also demand long-term reliability: once a system is in service, replacement or repair may be impractical. High-tolerance machining therefore becomes a strategic requirement, rather than a solely technical detail.

Metaltech Precision has long supported sectors where failure is not an option, including aerospace and defence. With rigorous quality systems and specialist expertise in high-tolerance machining, the company ensures that components consistently meet or exceed customer specifications, giving buyers confidence in both performance and compliance.

Key challenges in defence component machining

When sourcing components for defence applications, buyers face challenges that exceed standard machining. Parts are often small, intricate, and must be produced to exacting tolerances. Many are made from advanced alloys that are difficult to machine, and production runs may vary from smaller batch runs to high-volume series. Added to this is the need for absolute confidentiality and security in handling sensitive designs and data.

Some of the most common challenges include:

• Tight tolerances and complexity: defence components frequently require precision down to the micron, with geometries that demand multi-axis or sliding head machining.
• Specialist materials: Titanium, Inconel, stainless steels and other high-performance alloys require specialist tooling, programming expertise and process control.
• Flexible production volumes: suppliers must be able to scale between varying volumes without sacrificing consistency.
• Data security and confidentiality: protecting sensitive technical files and specifications is a growing priority, with Cyber Essentials certification now often a baseline requirement in MOD contracts.
• Supply chain security: Customers in the defence sector often require domestic UK manufacture of metal components.

Metaltech Precision is well equipped to meet these demands. The company combines a wide range of CNC machining capabilities with the ability to process advanced alloys, supported by robust quality and cyber security systems. This ensures defence buyers can source components that are both technically compliant and securely managed.

Real-world examples of defence components

For procurement professionals, seeing proven examples of past defence work is one of the best ways to assess a machining partner’s suitability. A credible supplier should be able to demonstrate a track record of producing components that are directly comparable to your project requirements, whether in terms of complexity, material choice or operating environment.

Metaltech Precision has supplied components across air, land and sea programmes using processes such as:

• CNC milling – submarine trolleys (carbon steel), avionics flight recorders (titanium).
• Sliding head turning – ordnance firing mechanisms (carbon steel).
• Welding and fabrication – components and structural fabrication of land vehicles, for High Mobility Transporter (HMT) for a Tier 1 defence contractor for the British Army; large submarine trolleys requiring both machining and fabrication expertise.

Within the Expromet Technologies Group, sister companies Haworth Castings and Investacast extend this capability with components including:

• Drone engines – end plate (sand casting, LM13 & molybdenum).
• Cooling systems – fan impeller (sand casting, LM25).
• De-mining equipment – tine tip (investment casting, carbon steel).
• Marine detection equipment – nose cone (sand casting, AB2).
• Steering – hydraulic steering casing (sand casting, LM25).
• Missile systems – hard back (sand casting, LM169).
• Transmissions – transmission casing and auxiliaries (sand casting, LM25 & LM13).

These real-world examples highlight the depth and breadth of group-wide expertise: from CNC milling and turning at Metaltech to sand and investment casting at Haworth and Investacast, plus fabrication and assembly across the group. For defence buyers including OEMs, primes and Tier 1 suppliers, this offers access to a fully integrated supply chain capable of producing high-performance, mission-critical components across air, land and sea applications.

What to look for in a machining partner

Selecting the right machining partner is one of the most important decisions in defence procurement. A capable partner should demonstrate not only technical capacity but also process maturity, compliance, and security.

Key areas to assess include:

Proven expertise in defence and allied sectors

A strong partner will already have experience delivering to defence, aerospace, or other mission-critical industries. This demonstrates familiarity with zero-tolerance quality expectations, traceability requirements, and long-term support obligations.

Metaltech Precision has decades of experience in aerospace and defence, manufacturing intricate, high-precision components where reliability cannot be compromised.

Certifications and compliance standards

Certifications are often a minimum entry requirement in defence supply chains. Buyers should confirm that suppliers are accredited to:

• AS9100 for aerospace & defence quality management. AS9100 adds industry-specific requirements above ISO 9001 (also held by Metaltech), enforcing rigour, risk-based thinking and continuous improvement.
• JOSCAR (Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register). Widely recognised by defence primes and OEMs to pre-approve suppliers: streamlining procurement, reducing risk and boosting supply chain confidence.
• Cyber Essentials certification:  Cyber Essentials training improves cyber security across supply chains, giving confidence in the integrity of design, data handling and supplier processes. Cyber Essentials forms part of the overall Cyber Security Model introduced by the Defence Cyber Protection Partnership (DCPP) within the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The DCPP is responsible for protecting the defence supply chain from cyber threats. According to Richard Jefferys (Defence Commercial):

“The MOD will require suppliers to have a Cyber Essentials Certificate by the contract start date at the latest, and for it to be renewed annually. This requirement must be flowed down the supply chain…  CES certification will become the baseline requirement for companies in the UK defence supply chain.”

• ISO 3834-2 welding quality for metallic materials. Metaltech Precision is proud to have been awarded ISO 3834 certification. This sets the highest standard for delivering complex, demanding and mission-critical welded fabrications for sectors such as aerospace and defence.

Together, these certifications reduce buyer risk, speed supplier approval, and signal seriousness about quality and security. Metaltech Precision holds all of the above, simplifying approval and providing assurance that procurement requirements will be met.

Advanced CNC machining capabilities

For defence programmes, machining capability needs to cover more than just basic turning or milling. Buyers should look for:

• Breadth of equipment: multi-axis milling, vertical machining, fixed and sliding head turning – a range of CNC and automated technologies to handle complex geometries.
• Scalability: the ability to move from prototype to full-scale production without compromising quality is essential in defence programmes.
• Process control: digital scheduling, tooling management and documentation vital to ensure consistent output and full traceability.
• Automation: machining partners increasingly use automation and advanced programming to reduce cycle times and minimise human error.

Metaltech Precision operates over 60 CNC machines, covering milling, vertical machining, fixed spindle and sliding head turning — backed by digital production scheduling and strict process documentation, ensuring precision and repeatability across both small batches and high-volume runs.

Materials expertise

Defence components are often made from titanium, Inconel, high-grade steels and other challenging alloys. Procurement teams should check that potential suppliers can machine these materials effectively and advise on optimal selection for cost and performance. Metaltech Precision has extensive experience with titanium, stainless steels and high-performance alloys.

Fabrication and assembly

Many defence components require welding or assembly alongside machining. A capable partner should provide fully coded welders, MIG/TIG capability, and the capacity for large or complex fabrications. Having fabrication and assembly in-house reduces supplier interfaces and shortens lead times. Metaltech’s coded welding team and capacity for fabrications up to 25T provide defence buyers with this assurance.

Benefits of choosing the right defence machining partner

For defence buyers, the risks of choosing the wrong machining partner are significant: late deliveries, rejected batches, unexpected costs and even programme delays. By contrast, selecting the right partner brings measurable advantages to both procurement efficiency and programme performance.

Some of the key benefits include:

• Reduced risk of failure: accredited quality systems and proven processes ensure that parts meet tolerance and specification every time.
• Consistency across volumes: the right supplier delivers the same standards of accuracy whether producing in small batches or scaling to full production.
• Shorter lead times: UK-based manufacturing with integrated machining and fabrication capacity reduces turnaround times.
• Cost-effectiveness: efficient production, automation and streamlined supplier interfaces minimise waste and lower total acquisition costs.
• Supply chain credibility: working with an AS9100, JOSCAR and Cyber Essentials-certified partner reduces audit burden and simplifies MOD or Tier 1 approvals.

Metaltech Precision combines these benefits with the added value of being part of the Expromet Technologies Group, meaning buyers can access casting, machining, fabrication and finishing from one integrated source.

The strength of Expromet Technologies Group

When evaluating suppliers, buyers should also consider the benefits of group-backed capability. Defence programmes often need more than a single machining process — they require castings, fabrications, precision machining and final assembly. Managing multiple suppliers increases complexity, risk and lead time. Working with a partner that is part of a larger engineering group reduces these challenges.

Metaltech Precision is a key member of the Expromet Technologies Group, alongside sister companies Haworth Castings and Investacast. Together, the group offers a range of UK metal manufacturing options, including:

• Sand casting, investment casting and gravity die casting:  lightweight, high-integrity components for applications including cooling systems, munitions systems and transmissions.
• Machining and finishing: CNC milling, turning, and sliding head machining for small intricate defence parts.
• Welding, Fabrication and assembly – coded MIG/TIG welding, large-scale fabrication capacity and integrated assembly services.
• Integrated supply chain solutions – a single source for cast, machined, fabricated and finished parts, reducing procurement complexity.
• Cross-sector expertise – experience across aerospace, defence, rail, energy and performance automotive industries.

For defence buyers, this means fewer supplier interfaces, greater accountability, and a supply chain partner capable of delivering performance-critical components across air, land and sea platforms.

Why choose Metaltech Precision for defence machining

When it comes to defence procurement, buyers need technical capability, plus confidence in a partner’s ability to deliver reliably, securely and at scale. Metaltech Precision provides this assurance through a combination of experience, capability and certification.

Key reasons to choose Metaltech include:

• Proven defence and aerospace track record – manufacturing small, intricate, performance-critical components where reliability is vital.
• Certified quality and compliance – AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO 3834-2, JOSCAR registration and Cyber Essentials certification, ensuring both manufacturing quality and digital supply chain security.
• Comprehensive machining capability – over 60 CNC machines covering milling, turning and sliding head machining, supported by digital scheduling and process traceability.
• Fabrication and welding expertise – fully coded MIG/TIG welders with capacity for fabrications up to 25T.
• Group-wide integration – backed by Expromet Technologies Group, giving buyers access to casting, machining, fabrication and finishing through a single trusted supplier.
• Trusted by primes and Tier 1s – an established supplier in defence and aerospace supply chains.

By combining precision engineering with accredited systems and group-backed scale, Metaltech Precision offers buyers a reliable, UK-based partner for mission-critical defence components.

Looking for a trusted UK machining partner in defence?

Choosing the right machining partner for defence components is a strategic step in safeguarding programme performance and national security. The wrong choice can mean late deliveries, costly rework and unacceptable risk. The right choice brings reliability, compliance and confidence across the entire supply chain.

By combining advanced CNC capability, accredited quality systems and digital security, Metaltech Precision provides defence buyers with a proven, UK-based partner. As part of the Expromet Technologies Group, Metaltech also offers the added strength of integrated casting, machining and fabrication expertise across air, land and sea applications.

Speak to the team at Metaltech Precision today, and discover how we deliver certified, precision-engineered components for air, land and sea applications.

FAQs for Choosing the right machining partner for defence components

What should I look for in a machining partner for defence components?
You should look for proven defence sector experience, certifications such as AS9100 and JOSCAR, advanced CNC capabilities, materials expertise, and strong cyber security credentials.

Why is AS9100 important for defence machining suppliers?
AS9100 is a quality management standard for aerospace and defence. It shows that the supplier meets strict requirements for traceability, risk management and continuous improvement.

Do defence machining suppliers need cyber security certification?
Yes. UK defence contracts often require Cyber Essentials certification as a minimum, proving the supplier can securely handle sensitive technical data and protect the supply chain.

What types of defence components can be machined?
Machined defence parts include avionics flight recorder housings, ordnance firing mechanisms, submarine trolleys, and other high-precision components used in air, land and sea applications.

Why is UK-based machining preferred for defence supply chains?
UK manufacturing strengthens national security, shortens supply chains and supports government policy to invest in domestic defence capability.

What materials are commonly used in defence machining?
Typical materials include titanium, Inconel, stainless steels and carbon steels — all chosen for strength, durability and performance in harsh environments.

 Can a machining supplier also provide fabrication and welding?
Yes. Many defence components require both machining and fabrication. Suppliers like Metaltech Precision offer MIG/TIG welding with ISO 3834-2 accreditation for high-quality assemblies.

How does JOSCAR help defence procurement?
JOSCAR is a register used by defence primes and Tier 1s. It streamlines supplier approval by storing compliance data in one place, making procurement faster and easier.

What are the benefits of choosing a machining partner that is part of a group?
Being part of a group like Expromet Technologies provides access to casting, machining, fabrication and finishing in one supply chain, reducing complexity for buyers.

How can I contact Metaltech Precision about defence machining?
You can contact Metaltech Precision directly through their website contact page to discuss defence machining requirements.