London first hosted EuMW in 2001, and 2026 will be its fourth time hosting. This year, the 29th edition of Europe’s premier microwave event runs October 4-9. As is typical, EuMW 2026 will include three co-located conferences:

• EuMIC – European Microwave Integrated Circuits Conference
• EuMC – European Microwave Conference
• EuRAD – European Radar Conference.

In addition, this year’s event will include the Defence, Space, Automotive and 6G Forums, as well as an extensive trade show. EuMW 2026 offers opportunities to participate in conferences, workshops, short courses and special events, such as Women in Microwave Engineering.

Four short years ago, London hosted the European Microwave Week during a COVID-muggled exhibit season.

Through the dedicated efforts of the European Microwave Association (EuMA), Horizon House Publications and local supporters, EuMW 2021 finally took place April 2-7, 2022, at London’s Excel convention center. While attendance for this was significantly down from a normal pre-COVID year, it was still a very respectable event with more than 150 exhibitors. This year promises to be bigger than ever, with over 1,200 conference delegates and 3,500 attendees expected.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE FOUR YEARS MAKE

Since that 2022 event, the U.K.’s compound semiconductor sector has evolved from a promising niche into a strategically significant part of the country’s advanced technology landscape. The U.K. has a strong history in RF and microwave, as the birthplace of radar (see Figure 1) and the home of the first-ever MMIC (see Figure 2). Historically defined by research excellence and a handful of specialist firms, the U.K. semiconductor industry is now being redefined by a convergence of public investment, geopolitical urgency and accelerating commercial demand. Applications spanning 5G/6G communications, electric vehicles, satellite systems and defence electronics have accelerated interest in compound semiconductors, particularly those based on Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Indium Phosphide (InP).

One of the driving forces behind this transformation has been the U.K. government’s more assertive industrial policy. Recently, the U.K. has seen increased demand for sovereign supply of components, primarily from its multiple A&D primes, including BAE Systems, Leonardo, Airbus and their joint venture, MBDA.

Since the last EuMW in London in 2022, the U.K. has seen significant growth in the UAV and counter-UAV (C-UAV) sectors, driving demand for RF components for both command and control (data links, which tend to be longer-range and lower-data-rate) and for high-bandwidth, higher frequency video links for first-person view drones.

In 2023, the U.K. National Semiconductor Strategy formally identified compound semiconductors as a national strength and committed £200 million in the short term and up to £1 billion over the long term for industry development. Through initiatives such as this and targeted funding for regional clusters, policymakers have sought to strengthen domestic capabilities while reducing reliance on unpredictable global supply chains.

South Wales, long anchored by its compound semiconductor cluster, has emerged as a focal point for this effort, attracting both public and private capital to expand wafer fabrication, packaging and integration capabilities. Meanwhile at the same time, collaboration between universities and industry has intensified, reinforcing the U.K.’s longstanding strength in materials science and device innovation.

The global security environment is also shaping this focus on supply chain resilience. The rapid rise of drones has created a new RF battleground, where communications, jamming and anti-jamming technologies are evolving in parallel. Increasingly, RF engineering in the U.K. is being driven by operational reality rather than purely theoretical performance gains.

The commercial RF sector has been reshaped by major shifts in satellite communications. The move from geostationary to low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations has been transformative, dramatically reducing latency and enabling more practical broadband connectivity from space. U.K. companies are benefiting directly from this. Filtronic, for example, secured multi-million-dollar orders from SpaceX for E-Band solid-state power amplifiers, highlighting strong demand for high frequency RF solutions. More broadly, there is a rapid convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, enabling everything from emergency messaging to fully integrated global connectivity.

In mobile communications, the U.K. story has been more evolutionary than revolutionary. The 5G rollout has largely focused on sub-6 GHz spectrum, with mmWave still limited to niche use cases. The expected step-change in performance has been more incremental than anticipated. Looking toward 6G, there’s a clear shift in thinking. Rather than pushing further into ever-higher frequencies, attention is turning to mid-band “FR3” spectrum (7 to 24 GHz), which offers a more practical balance between bandwidth and propagation. The transition to direct-to-device, where standard smartphones will connect directly via LEO satellite, is underway. The three major U.S. mobile network operators, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, have created a joint venture to expedite adoption. The idea of a “network of networks,” the seamless linking of cellular, Wi-Fi and satellite, is gaining traction. All of these new and expanding markets will require higher power, wider bandwidths and additional integration provided by compound semiconductor devices.

Also contributing to this rapid growth has been a wave of consolidation, partnerships and vertical integration across the ecosystem. One example is the 2023 acquisition by CML Micro of California-based Microwave Technology, Inc. (MwT), which expanded its GaAs and GaN portfolio and reflected continued momentum in compound semiconductor technologies.

Established players have scaled operations and broadened their portfolios, while startups have increasingly partnered with larger firms to bridge the gap between innovation and manufacturability. International investment has also played a pivotal role, underscoring the U.K.’s continued relevance in a competitive global market. Together, these developments signal a maturing industry — one no longer defined solely by technical breakthroughs, but by its ability to translate those advances into resilient supply chains and commercially viable systems.

UK GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY

The U.K. government has taken on an increasingly active and strategic role in shaping the compound semiconductor industry, recognising its importance to economic growth and national security. Through targeted funding and policy support, the government is accelerating innovation, strengthening domestic supply chains and ensuring the U.K. remains competitive in high performance applications across telecommunications, defence and power electronics.

Beyond policy, the government has shown a willingness to intervene directly in the market to protect critical capabilities. High-profile actions, such as blocking foreign acquisitions and assuming ownership and stabilization roles at key fabrication facilities, signal a more assertive approach to safeguarding strategic assets. This reflects a broader recognition that compound semiconductors underpin essential technologies, including radar, electronic warfare and advanced sensing systems. As a result, the U.K. government is positioning itself not only as a regulator or funder but also as an active participant in ensuring long-term resilience and sovereignty in this critical sector.

THE PUSH TOWARD SOVEREIGN CONTROL OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

The desire for production logistics security is further illustrated by the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s recent acquisition of the Newton Aycliffe GaAs fab. See Figure 3. Now known as Octric Semiconductor, this U.K. compound semiconductor foundry has a proven delivery track record of over 30 years, including mission-critical defence applications. Backed by a recent £200 million investment from the U.K. government, Octric is developing next-generation semiconductor platforms at its purpose-built facility in County Durham. The facility features a 4,800 m² Class 100 cleanroom, as shown in Figure 4, which is among the largest of its kind in Europe.

Octric’s advanced compound semiconductor process capabilities and expertise span GaAs, GaN and InP, enabling the most demanding, high performance applications. Both GaAs and GaN process lines are on 6 in. wafers. Octric’s manufacturing expertise and process innovation have resulted in cumulative device shipments exceeding 1.5 billion units. With a highly skilled workforce of technologists and engineers, Octric is a trusted partner that empowers global customers to deliver differentiated products across a wide array of markets, including telecommunications, satellite communications, space, aerospace and defence.

THE WORLD’S FIRST COMPOUND SEMICONDUCTOR CLUSTER

Founded in 2015, CSconnected is a not-for-profit organisation focused on expanding the South Wales compound semiconductor industry. As the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster, CSconnected brings together a unique community of academic institutions, prototyping facilities and global high volume manufacturing capabilities. The cluster promotes cutting-edge research, innovation and global leadership, positioning Wales and the U.K. to compete globally in critical sectors such as 5G communications, autonomous and electric vehicles, advanced medical devices, sustainable technology and next-generation consumer electronics.

South Wales is one of the few locations worldwide where this breadth of capability is concentrated in a single region. Since its origins, the South Wales compound semiconductor cluster has delivered:

• £850 million invested in facilities
• Over £150 million in collaborative research and development
• Supported approximately 3,000 jobs
• A global reputation as the go-to location for compound semiconductors.

Industry leaders recognise the importance of educating and engaging the area’s youth to help expand the technology base. The Sparking STEM Futures initiative is a strategic, region-wide program designed to inspire and develop the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent, with a particular focus on South Wales’ compound semiconductor industry. Local students (see Figure 5) were inspired by the technology showcased at one of the local fabs. By fostering strong collaborations among education providers, local authorities and industry leaders, the initiative aims to build a resilient, inclusive talent pipeline that supports this critical and growing sector.

EPITAXIAL WAFERS – THE FOUNDATION OF COMPOUND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

IQE is a U.K.-based semiconductor materials company specialising in advanced epitaxial wafers — engineered layers of compound semiconductor materials that form the foundation of high performance electronic devices. IQE’s pedigree dates back to 1988, when its first metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD)-based manufacturing operation was established in Cardiff, Wales, under the name Epitaxial Products International. Over the years, the company has grown organically and through acquisitions and now has a global footprint that includes sites in the U.S. and Asia.

In 2015, IQE announced a joint venture (JV) with Cardiff University to lead the development and commercialisation of compound semiconductor technologies in Europe. The JV was a key milestone toward creating the CSconnected Cluster centered in Wales. In April 2026, IQE announced a strategic investment and a long-term supply agreement with its key customer, MACOM, and other existing shareholders, raising approximately £81 million to fund future process enhancements.

The wafers produced in this foundry are critical to enabling technologies such as 5G communications, optical sensing (including facial recognition), power electronics and emerging applications such as AI infrastructure and microLED displays. IQE occupies a strategic position in the global semiconductor supply chain, working between raw substrate providers and device manufacturers to deliver precisely engineered materials that improve device efficiency, speed and functionality. See Figure 6.

The company’s purpose is to “enable the future through materials leadership,” providing the building blocks that help customers develop next-generation electronic systems across consumer, industrial and defence markets. IQE’s growth outlook is closely tied to the expanding compound semiconductor sector, which is forecast to grow at approximately 2x the compound annual growth rate of the standard silicon wafer market (13.3 percent vs. 6.8 percent) through 2030. This reflects strong demand driven by megatrends such as the 5G rollout, AI computing and electric vehicles and their charger systems.

EMERGING FRONTIER: SPACEBASED SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING

From a uniquely U.K. perspective, Space Forge is developing in-orbit manufacturing of compound semiconductors. From superalloys to next-generation computing, on-orbit production and research can deliver results not found anywhere else on Earth. Space Forge is positioning itself as a dedicated provider of scalable orbital factories that fully leverage the unique environmental benefits of space.

This off-planet environment offers several unique advantages over performing similar functions on Earth. These include the absence of convection in microgravity, an ultra-high-quality vacuum with near-zero nitrogen contamination and stable thermal conditions, which can enable the production of semiconductor crystals several orders of magnitude cleaner than those produced terrestrially.

Space Forge launched its pioneering ForgeStar-1 craft (depicted in Figure 7) in June 2025 and has been bringing it online since then. In December 2025, the microwave-oven-sized satellite fired up its miniature furnace for the first time, generating plasma — a stream of gas as hot as 1,832°F (1,000°C). In future missions, this plasma will help Space Forge produce super-efficient, out-of-this-world materials in a weightless environment.

The company’s focus is on wide and ultra-wide bandgap materials, including GaN, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride and diamond. These materials underpin critical technologies such as power electronics, advanced communications, quantum systems, defence platforms and high performance computing. On Earth, their development is constrained by defect formation, impurity incorporation and thermal instability during growth.

CML MICRO: A RICH HERITAGE OF COMPOUND SEMICONDUCTOR DESIGN

CML Micro is a U.K. supplier of compound semiconductor MMICs. Founded in 1968 and with a strong background in silicon IC design, it has three U.K. sites, maintains strong links with domestic and international suppliers and operates its own volume-production test facilities in the U.K.

Like many leading compound semiconductor players, CML has recognised the benefits of moving to shorter gate lengths to enable higher frequency performance and is developing a family of GaN-on-SiC devices. One of their latest offerings is the MMG-004030A, a distributed amplifier that operates from below 1 MHz to 40 GHz, with a Psat approaching 30 dBm.

CML’s compound semiconductor expertise was significantly enhanced with the acquisition of PRFI Ltd, a longstanding MMIC design house (see Figure 8), in 2020. The design organisation was fully integrated into the business in 2024 and now operates as CML Micro’s Compound Semiconductor Design (CSD) team. Customers are increasingly recognising the value of ‘design and supply’ agreements, under which the CSD team can design custom components and manage the supply chain to ensure long-term dependability and reduce obsolescence risk.

There is a general trend toward packaged surface-mount components, which poses technical challenges for packaging at higher power and frequency levels. CML Micro works with U.K. packaging houses, including Custom Interconnect Limited and Alter and Aquarius Test Engineering, to develop the required solutions.

CSA CATAPULT – THE UK’S AUTHORITY ON COMPOUND SEMICONDUCTOR APPLICATIONS

What is a Catapult? Catapults are technology centres designed to promote innovation, research and development in key sectors. Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) is one of nine Catapults spanning over 50 locations in a U.K.-wide network.

As the U.K.’s authority on compound semiconductor applications and commercialisation, CSA works with startups, SMEs, large organisations and academia to support productisation, remove barriers to market and accelerate the adoption of compound semiconductor technologies.

As a not-for-profit research and technology organisation funded by Innovate U.K., the CSA Catapult group serves as a trusted, neutral collaborator across a range of industry sectors, with a focus on two key markets: Net Zero and Future Telecoms. To meet the growing demand for electricity, the generation, consumption, storage and transmission of renewable energy must become more efficient. This cannot be achieved without compound semiconductors. Net Zero is an initiative to improve the overall efficiency of electricity generation through the use of compound semiconductors, see Figure 9.

The Future Telecoms activity is based on the U.K. government’s decision to diversify the country’s telecoms supply chain. This has created a significant opportunity for a stronger, more competitive supplier base to improve the network’s quality, innovation and future resilience. Those improvements will require new solutions based on compound semiconductors.

CSAs’ state-of-the-art facilities are home to a leading team of experts with extensive know-how and experience and a track record of developing and commercialising compound semiconductor technologies and applications. As they expand and advance the contribution of compound semiconductor technologies to the U.K. economy, they are also working hard to inspire, train and develop the next generation of scientists and engineers who will drive compound semiconductor technologies of the future.

In early June 2026, the CSA Catapult transitioned to become the Semiconductor Catapult, following the publication of the U.K. Government’s AI Hardware Plan. This transition reflects an expanded role in supporting the U.K. semiconductor sector and accelerating the deployment of AI infrastructure.

A RESILIENT FUTURE FOR THE UK COMPOUND SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY

The U.K.’s compound semiconductor sector is expanding rapidly, yet several structural challenges could constrain its long-term competitiveness. Chief among these is scale: compared with major ecosystems in the U.S., E.U. and Asia, the U.K. lacks the large, vertically integrated manufacturing base and capital backing needed to compete at scale. This has the potential of limiting its ability to fully capitalize on global demand. Compounding this is the financial fragility of several key domestic firms, many of which operate on tight margins, rely on external investment or face volatility tied to a small number of high-value customers. As a result, the sector remains particularly exposed to fluctuations in the global demand cycle, where downturns in end markets such as smartphones, automotive or telecom infrastructure can quickly ripple through the supply chain. Together, these factors create a delicate growth environment in which innovation remains strong, but scaling and financial resilience continue to pose significant hurdles.

Despite near-term challenges, the U.K. compound semiconductor market remains on a credible path to long-term success by focusing on areas where it holds structural advantages rather than competing head-on with large-scale silicon ecosystems. Doubling down on compound semiconductors — particularly in high performance and specialty applications — enables the U.K. to differentiate in markets where materials such as GaN, GaAs, SiC and photonics deliver clear performance benefits. The development of a regional cluster model in South Wales, where close collaboration among industry, academia and government has created a concentrated hub of expertise, talent and infrastructure, was a key factor in this strategy.

The U.K. government’s recognition of the sector as strategic and defence-critical is reinforced by long-term investment and policy support, reducing reliance on purely commercial funding cycles. Looking ahead, emerging areas such as quantum computing may further expand RF’s role. These systems depend on highly specialised microwave control, suggesting that RF expertise will remain central as new technologies mature.

By focusing resources on high-value niches rather than commoditized volume manufacturing, the U.K. is positioning itself to play a critical role in global supply chains for next-generation communications, power electronics and sensing technologies. Together, this targeted, ecosystem-driven approach provides a strong foundation for sustained growth, with compound semiconductors playing an ever-increasing role.