Tag: Ministry of Defence

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 October 2025.

The Defence Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of Rupert Pearce as National Armaments Director (NAD) at the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

• Rupert Pearce appointed as National Armaments Director, bringing extensive FTSE100 leadership experience.
• Crucial appointment in the biggest defence reforms for more than 50 years.
• NAD role to drive economic growth while bolstering national security – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.

UK defence procurement and industrial partnerships will be fundamentally reshaped by a highly experienced leader, as Rupert Pearce is appointed on a 5-year fixed-term basis.

The NAD is a critical role that will shape the future of UK defence as part of the biggest defence reforms for more than 50 years – speeding up decisions, tackling waste and improving outcomes for our Armed Forces.

Working closely with the Defence Secretary and a key pillar of the Strategic Defence Review, the NAD will deliver the national arsenal needed for the UK Armed Forces to execute defence operations demanded by the current global threat picture.  

Mr Pearce brings extensive leadership experience from the private sector, including 16 years at FTSE100 satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat, where he served as CEO for nine years.  

He will take up the role of NAD on 14th October, with Andy Start, who has been establishing the new Group as National Armaments Director in an interim capacity, supporting him for the first few months of his tenure.

His proven track record of managing large-scale organisations, driving innovation, and building international partnerships makes him ideally suited to lead the transformation of how defence works with industry to deliver for our Armed Forces. Additionally, his venture capital experience will bolster his role working with UK Defence Innovation, supporting firms of all sizes to take state-of-the-art technology from the drawing board to the production line. 

The NAD will change how defence partners with industry to grow the UK economy, create jobs across the country, and deliver UK exports. This will drive economic growth whilst bolstering national security – a foundation of the government’s Plan for Change.  

National Armaments Director, Rupert Pearce said:   

I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the UK’s National Armaments Director. It is vital that our Armed Forces have cutting edge capabilities at their disposal to project an effective deterrent, both alone and in conjunction with NATO and our other allies.   

To deliver this, we will transform MOD’s relationship with its industrial partners so that the UK defence industry becomes a strategic asset, innovating at wartime pace and driving economic growth. I look forward to working with all my new stakeholders to deliver on this vision.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

The National Armaments Director will be a cornerstone of defence reform, positioning the UK to meet evolving global threats whilst making defence an engine for growth in communities across the nation. 

Rupert is an exceptional leader with extensive experience in high-value budgets, effective reform, and delivery on the global stage. He will ensure our forces have the equipment they need, on time and on budget.   

The threat we face is growing; this is a serious appointment to spearhead the national arsenal and help make Britain secure at home and strong abroad.

Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald, said:  

I would like to congratulate Rupert Pearce on his appointment as National Armaments Director. Rupert’s extensive leadership experience from the private sector makes him excellently suited to transform how the government works with the defence industry and support delivery of the biggest defence reforms for more than 50 years.  

I look forward to working with Rupert as he leads this vital work to modernise defence procurement and deliver economic growth whilst bolstering national security.

The National Armaments Director will be responsible for:  

• Delivering the capabilities required from industry to execute the Defence plans and operations demanded by the new era.
• Delivering the Defence Industrial Strategy.
• Ensuring a resilient supply chain and the required readiness of the national ‘arsenal’.
• Leading on UK defence exports and acquisition reform.
• Speeding up procurement and reducing duplication while working closely with wider government, industry, academia, and international partners to deploy best practice and investment.

The appointment comes at a crucial time, following the Prime Minister’s commitment to the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, with spending rising to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and an ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament.  

The role will see Mr Pearce implement the Defence Industrial Strategy and oversee a single new investment budget, consolidating eight separate procurement budgets across the organisation. This streamlined approach aims to cut procurement waste and duplication whilst boosting NATO interoperability and ensuring a resilient supply chain.  

Mr Pearce’s background includes early career experience as a lawyer, before moving into the technology and telecommunications sector. Beyond his tenure at Inmarsat, he served as CEO of innovative energy company Highview Power and worked as a Venture Partner for Columbia Capital, a technology venture capital firm.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 October 2025.

It comes as the latest in a series of drug seizures by the Royal Navy in the Gulf region.

Royal Marine snipers disabled a drugs boat speeding across the Gulf of Oman as frigate HMS Lancaster dealt a £35 million blow to the illegal narcotics trade.

Commando snipers brought the ‘skiff ‘– zipping over the waves at speeds in excess of 40 knots while its crew tried to ditch their illegal cargo – to an immediate halt with a bullseye shot to knock out the boat’s engine.

The snipers took aim from a Wildcat helicopter launched from the warship to intercept three suspect craft in one of the most dramatic counter-drugs intercepts the Royal Navy has been involved with in the Middle East.

More than one-and-a-half tonnes of drugs were recovered in all – heroin, crystal methamphetamine and hashish with an estimated UK street value in excess of £35 million. 

Keeping the country safe is the Government’s first priority, and an integral part of its Plan for Change. The work of the Royal Navy at home and abroad is critical to the security and stability of the UK and directly contributes to the government’s Safer Streets Mission.  

The UK remains steadfast in its commitment to our armed forces and has pledged to raise defence spending to 2.6% of GDP from 2027, with the aspiration to further increase it to 3% during the next parliament.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, said:

Outstanding work by the crew of the HMS Lancaster who stopped and seized £35M worth of dangerous and illicit drugs at sea. Moreover, a well-planned operation culminating in a surgical shot by a Royal Marines sniper disabling the engine of a vessel traveling at 40 knots. That’s excellence at work.

Not only have our Royal Navy and Royal Marines disrupted a major criminal enterprise and kept drugs off our streets and away from our kids, but have once again demonstrated effectiveness, decisive action and the exceptionally high standard of our Royal Navy and Marines.

I salute our Royal Navy and Royal Marines for their indefatigable work keeping us safe at home and strong abroad.

This is the first time snipers have been called upon to use non-lethal force to disable a suspicious boat in the Gulf region – where typically slow-moving dhows are used to hide the illicit cargoes – unlike the Caribbean, where the tactic has proved effective on several occasions.

The operation began when HMS Lancaster launched her Wildcat from 815 Naval Air Squadron on a dawn patrol over the Gulf of Oman.

Her crew soon picked up three suspicious skiffs travelling at speed – and secretly shadowed them while relaying critical information back to the warship.

That allowed Lancaster to launch her Peregrine mini-helicopter drone to continue monitoring the skiffs – again undetected – providing a live video feed to the ship’s operations room. 

Meanwhile, the Wildcat returned to refuel and embark a Maritime Sniper Team from 42 Commando – the Royal Marines’ specialists in boarding operations – to close in for the interception.

When the helicopter appeared over the skiffs, their crews immediately increased speed to more than 40 knots and began hurling their cargo into the water to reduce weight.

Ultimately, it led to two of the skiffs being abandoned – but not the third which persisted in trying to get away.

At this point, the marines targeted the outboard engine, neutralising it with a single round, while crew of the warship’s sea boat recovered the discarded packages and located a partially-submerged abandoned skiff.

The operation highlights HMS Lancaster’s capability to deter illicit activities and disrupt the narcotics trade. 

Commander Sam Stephens, Commanding Officer of HMS Lancaster said:

I’m hugely proud of the team’s professionalism, patience, and skill throughout what was a protracted chase,

This operation saw Lancaster’s crewed and uncrewed aircraft working hand-in-glove under the direction of the ship’s operations room. The outcome was a highly-successful bust, removing large quantities of narcotics from the streets and preventing their profits from fuelling extremism.

Wildcat pilot Lieutenant Guy Warry added:

Non-lethal disabling fire has not been seen in the region and was essential in preventing the drug runners from moving their product.

Being the Wildcat pilot carrying out a live weapons firing on drug-running skiffs whilst flying backwards to provide a stable platform for the snipers was definitely a career highlight.

This interdiction is a true testament to the high levels of training that both the flight, MST and ship have achieved prior to the bust.

HMS Lancaster is a Type 23 frigate deployed to the Middle East region on a long-term mission as part of wider efforts by the UK to provide regional maritime security and stability.

It’s the first bust Lancaster has scored since she intercepted a £30 million shipment of illegal narcotics in late May.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 10 October 2025.

Crucial missiles for Ukraine are months ahead of their delivery schedule, as the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, led a UK trade delegation visit to Kyiv.

• Hundreds of air defence missiles delivered five months early, with production creating UK jobs.
• Follows Ukraine’s largest drone producer investing £200m to build drones in Britain, creating 500 jobs.
• Comes as the UK leads trade delegation to Kyiv to increase military support for Ukraine.

The missiles, manufactured in Belfast are used to defend Ukraine’s airspace and have been delivered five months ahead of schedule under the UK gifting programme. The same weapons, known as Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), have offered Ukraine protection against threats since Russia launched its illegal invasion in February 2022.

The announcement comes as Belfast based Thales moves to the next phase of work with their Ukrainian partners. The latest phase of a £1.6 billion deal signed earlier in the year will enable those battle winning missiles to be integrated further into Ukraine’s air defence system, in a significant step for Ukraine’s own sovereign capabilities.

The ongoing missile manufacturing work in the UK is directly creating 200 jobs as well as supporting a further 700 existing roles, driving economic growth and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:

The UK is stepping up our ironclad commitment to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s illegal invasion. This year alone we are spending £4.5 billion on military support for Ukraine, more than ever before.

It was an honour to lead this trade delegation to Kyiv, and to see so many other countries participating in the event. Driving industrial partnerships is essential so that we can learn from their expertise and together build the industrial base we need to defend the UK, deter our adversaries and support Ukraine.

Businesses from NATO countries attended Ukraine’s International Defence Industry Conference, demonstrating a united multinational industrial front with global allies and deepening industrial cooperation and military support in the face of Russia’s continued invasion.

Deeper international collaboration between companies of all sizes is critical to Ukraine’s long-term defence industrial resilience and bolstering its efforts in the war.

The industry forum saw hundreds of attendees come together to showcase the collective support for Ukraine. Trade missions between the UK and Ukraine have already resulted in more than 30 joint ventures and partnerships, leading to jobs, prosperity and reinforced security in both nations.

Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS said:

The UK’s defence industry stands united in our efforts to increase production capacity, develop innovative new capabilities, and build a resilient industrial ecosystem that endures against the most trying of circumstances. In what has been the most multinational trade mission to Kyiv of its kind, it has been an honour for industry to lead the UK in engaging both within Ukraine and with our Ukrainian counterparts.

This week has been a stark reminder of the need to increase our industrial support and capacity across Europe. As illegal Russian aggression continues to intensify, European nations must come together and deepen their support. Continued industrial collaboration, both with our government counterparts and international allies, remains the only way we can secure a safe and prosperous future for the people of Ukraine.

The partnership with Ukraine has resulted in major investment by Ukraine’s largest drone manufacturer into the UK, as Ukrspecsystems will invest £200 million in two new facilities in the UK, creating 500 high-skilled jobs and boosting economic growth. 

This week’s trade delegation visit follows a groundbreaking new technology sharing agreement, Programme LYRA, that will see UK will manufacture and jointly develop cutting-edge military equipment with Ukrainian industry, supporting hundreds of British jobs and strengthening both UK and Ukraine’s national security.

This agreement recently saw an industrial partnership between the UK and Ukraine to jointly develop an advanced new air defence interceptor drone, named Project OCTOPUS. It will lead to the UK mass producing thousands of drones per month to provide Ukraine support in its ongoing fight for freedom.

These interceptor drones are considerably cheaper than regular air defence missiles and are highly effective in countering the waves of one-way attack drones Russia continues to launch at Ukrainian cities. 

As part of the historic UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership, UK Defence Exports (UKDE) has created the ‘Working with Ukraine’s Defence Sector’ guide for SMEs. This first-of-its-kind resource provides comprehensive guidance on procurement pathways, coalition and donor mechanisms, partnership models, and contact points.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 2 October 2025.

New £320 million contract for a platform to revolutionise how the Armed Forces manage and maintain defence equipment to help the military make better decisions faster will create 100 new highly-skilled UK jobs.

The UK’s Armed Forces will be strengthened by a new cutting-edge platform that will revolutionise how the military manages and maintains its equipment, driving efficiency and creating more than 100 highly-skilled jobs.

The new platform will use artificial intelligence (AI) to help ensure Armed Forces have the right equipment in the right place at the right time, delivering on the ambitions of the Strategic Defence Review.

The £320 million contract with IBM UK for the Defence Equipment Engineering Asset Management Systems (DEEAMS) will create 100 new highly-skilled jobs in the UK, making defence an engine for growth and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.

The new system will replace 17 fragmented, siloed and outdated applications with one enabled modern streamlined platform, using AI to bring over £1 billion in benefits such as savings on support and IT costs. It will provide personnel with real-time information to predict maintenance and repairs, stock availability, and engineering planning across major equipment and platforms.

It will also enable the adoption of future productivity-enhancing technologies, making sure the UK’s Armed Forces stay at forefront of defence innovation and capability.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said:

This is a major step forward in our commitment to ensuring our military has the very best equipment support available.

We are revolutionising how we provide our front-line personnel with the kit they need, when they need it, whether they’re operating at home or deployed overseas.

We are delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change with this £320 million investment, creating 100 new skilled jobs here in the UK and driving defence as an engine for growth.

This government is delivering the biggest transformation of UK defence in a generation to reshape how the military protects Britain against unprecedented global threats. This is backed with the largest sustained increase to defence spending since the Cold War, rising to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, with an ambition for hitting 3% in the next Parliament.

Serving over 65,000 users across more than 130 major military platforms and assets, the system will improve the quality and speed of military decision making, boost operational effectiveness, and support the resilience of digital networks.

Rahul Kalia, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting UKI, said:

IBM is proud to support the Ministry of Defence to deliver the transformational DEEAMS programme to enable a next generation, full-lifecycle asset management solution for the UK Armed Forces. Working with our ecosystem partners, we will deliver this mission-critical platform with predictive intelligence and real-time data driven insights to improve planning and support strategic decision making.

This investment follows the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy and demonstrates defence’s commitment to supporting UK economic growth and maintaining Britain’s position at the forefront of technology innovation.

The project builds on the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations for the UK Armed Forces to rapidly modernise and embrace the latest technology. Digital integration, data and digital systems are fundamental underpinnings of all modern military capabilities, making them more capable, resilient, and effective.

This contract represents defence’s ongoing commitment to digital transformation, ensuring our Armed Forces have warfighting capabilities with cutting-edge systems and innovative technologies that provide modern information systems and processes, streamlining support and enhancing operational effectiveness home and overseas.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 September 2025.

Defence Industrial Strategy will unveil reforms to champion British defence businesses to increase export sales through cutting red tape and expanded financial backing.

• Red tape cut to shorten the time it takes for British businesses to complete international export deals.
• Work to expand financial backing for UK defence firms seek international exports.
• New Defence Industrial Strategy will make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a defence firm.

British businesses will be championed on the global stage to increase export sales, under reforms taking place in the Defence Industrial Strategy, due for launch later today.

In a significant change to boost exports, UK firms will be able to apply for export licences whilst they are bidding for international work, rather than having to wait for the process to conclude.

This move will help UK companies win significant work on the international stage, shortening order timescales and giving greater confidence to overseas customers that UK companies are a reliable choice.

The Government is also taking steps to expand UK Export Finance (UKEF)’s ability to back major defence contracts, legislating to increase the maximum size of UKEF’s financial portfolio.

International defence contracts are increasingly demanding state-backed financing to be fulfilled. To ensure the UK remains a highly competitive partner of choice for international defence contracts, the government will bring forward legislation to expand UKEF’s financial capacity and will consider a new strategic approach to defence financing for larger, multi-billion-pound deals.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

We’re backing British businesses to win on the international stage by cutting red tape for major export campaigns.

Ensuring our firms can bid for international work with greater confidence is an important change that will make defence an engine for growth and good jobs for people across the nation.

Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, representing 1600 businesses in aerospace, defence, security and space, said:

Exports from the UK’s defence and security sectors have doubled in the last decade. UK-made capability is in demand, and any way that government and industry can work together to speed up this process is welcomed. The ability for businesses large and small to be able to secure licenses during the tender process means that production can begin sooner, workers can be retained, and ultimately, the UK’s competitive advantage can be secured.

On behalf of our over 1,000 industry members operating in this space, we look forward to partnering with the government to ensure that the UK’s rigorous export licensing systems are maintained while business thrives within that system.

The UK’s defence industry is a global powerhouse showcasing hundreds of thousands of highly skilled workers and the very latest cutting-edge technologies. The reforms come after the UK recently announced a deal to export at least five Type 26 frigates to Norway in a £10 billion boost to the economy, supporting over 4,000 British jobs for years to come.

UKEF support has already been a critical enabler for UK defence exports and the work to expand their financial capacity will help boost further opportunities for British companies to secure international orders.

Defence exports are now worth over £14.5 billion annually and growing – making Britain the world’s second-largest arms exporter after the United States, supporting work to make defence an engine for economic growth and delivering on the Plan for Change.

The Defence Industrial Strategy is the final sector plan of the eight growth driving sectors identified in the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy to be published, and the full collection of sector plans can be found here.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 September 2025.

Landmark Scotland partnership to create jobs and harness military innovations.

• Pioneering scheme to unleash potential from Scotland-based businesses and research institutions.
• Scotland to receive share of £250 million funding to forge long-term partnerships that will boost the local economy and benefit the UK Armed Forces.
• Builds on Scotland being key to innovation in the space and maritime sectors, driving job creation and cutting-edge research and development.

Scotland’s economy will be boosted by a pioneering defence programme – backed as part of a £250 million UK-wide investment – to improve collaboration, foster innovation and create jobs.

Defence Growth Deals are being created as part of a bold initiative to support the growth potential of the defence industry, underpinned by the historic increase in defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and the ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament.

Utilising a share of a £250 million of money for UK Defence Growth Deals, Scotland will forge a long-term partnership between the UK and Devolved Governments, uniting business and research institutions in the nation to harness local expertise and resources in support of the UK Armed Forces.

Defence Secretary John Healey will today [Monday 8 September] announce the new venture as part of the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), which will make Defence an engine for growth.

Central to the DIS, the Defence Growth Deals will unlock growth, innovation, and job creation within key concentrations of defence and dual-use industry across the country, while bolstering the resilience of the UK’s defence industrial base.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

The Defence Industrial Strategy will make defence an engine for growth in Scotland, backing jobs, industry and innovators.

Defence Growth Deals offer a new partnership with UK defence to build on industrial and innovation strengths that regions already hold. Together we aim to drive an increase in defence skills and jobs across Scotland.

We want to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a defence firm and will put Britain at the leading edge of innovation.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

This is a plan for good jobs paying decent wages in Scotland and beyond.

Through Defence Growth Deals we will unleash the power of local economies while securing our country – building an economy that works for working people, in every part of this country, just as our Plan for Change promised.

Latest statistics show that more than 11,000 people in Scotland are already employed due to MOD industry spending, and this work will ensure every ounce of the sector’s potential is realised, driving economic growth and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.

Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said:

The UK Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy will mean a real boost for Scotland’s economy and create highly skilled jobs for years to come – this is the defence dividend. Just last week we saw a £10 billion shipbuilding contract come to Clydeside – that is a fantastic example of what can be achieved with a government committed to ensuring Scotland benefits from the global rise in defence spending. Scotland’s defence sector is second to none, and our Defence Industrial Strategy will help ensure it has a thriving future, as part of our Plan for Change.

Scotland brings a dynamic mix of growth industries to the UK’s defence capabilities, from a rapidly advancing space sector to next-generation maritime innovation centred around the Clyde and Rosyth. The nation’s critical technology superclusters are anchored by world-class academic institutions like the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, creating a fertile environment for defence research and development.

Scotland’s shipbuilding heritage combined with its emerging space technologies makes it uniquely positioned to benefit from this Defence Growth Deal, driving innovation and job creation across traditional maritime sectors and cutting-edge aerospace industries that will strengthen Britain’s defence industrial base.

The nation will have its Defence Growth Deal unveiled in the coming months, working with the Devolved Government and other key stakeholders, the Ministry of Defence is launching a bespoke growth deal which will harness the distinct opportunities and strengths in the nation.

Detailed policy proposals will be developed collaboratively; areas of focus are expected to include:

• Skills – addressing regional workforce needs and future capability requirements;
• Innovation – supporting research, development, and adoption of new technologies;
• Procurement – aligning local supply chains with Defence priorities;
• Investment – targeting funding to unlock economic and strategic value;
• Partnership – fostering impactful relationships that deliver for the people of Scotland.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 September 2025.

Working families across the country will be provided opportunities through the Defence Industrial Strategy, from highly skilled engineering positions to apprenticeships for young people starting their careers, ensuring that the defence dividend is felt in communities from Cornwall to the Highlands.

• Defence Industrial Strategy launched by Defence Secretary on visit to Veteran-founded, high-tech UK firm.
• Additional £250 million to unleash the potential of local authorities, businesses and research institutions to support UK defence while boosting economic benefits.
• UK to be the best place in the world to start and grow a defence firm, better equipping the Armed Forces and driving economic growth under the Plan for Change.

Working families across the country will be provided opportunities through the Defence Industrial Strategy, from highly skilled engineering positions to apprenticeships for young people starting their careers, ensuring that the defence dividend is felt in communities from Cornwall to the Highlands.

Defence Secretary John Healey will launch the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) on a visit to defence technology firm Rowden, in Bristol, where he will open the firm’s new facility. Veteran-founded firm Rowden produce critical sensing and decision-making capabilities for the Armed Forces and significant growth in recent years means they now boast an engineering and production footprint of more than 20,000 sq ft in Bristol.

Central to the DIS, local economies will be boosted through the launch of a £250 million fund for Defence Growth Deals – which will improve collaboration, foster innovation and create jobs in areas with untapped potential.

Five initial Defence Growth Deals will be created across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Building on the success of the Team Barrow approach at the home of nuclear submarine building in Barrow-in-Furness, Defence Growth Deals will identify areas with high growth potential, and bring together industry, local and national government and academia to make sure that potential is realised.

Each Defence Growth Deal will combine defence and wider government investment to harness local sub-sector strengths, drive innovation, and deliver tailored support where needed, such as in skills, housing, and planning, to boost local economies, attract private investment, and ensure long-term sustainability.

Initial ADS analysis indicates there could be an additional demand of up to 50,000 defence jobs by 2034/35 with increases in defence spending. Defence Growth Deals will play an important role in capitalising on that skilled employment potential for communities across the UK.

The five deals will be backed by a total of £250 million of defence spending over the next five years, underpinned by this Government’s historic increase in defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and the ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament.

They will forge long-term partnerships between national, devolved and local government, uniting businesses and research institutions to harness local expertise and resources in defence and the dual-use sectors. They will support the UK Armed Forces and deliver benefits for working people through the government’s Plan for Change.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

The Defence Industrial Strategy will make defence an engine for growth across the UK, backing British jobs, British industry and British innovators.

Defence Growth Deals offer a new partnership with UK Defence to build on industrial and innovation strengths that regions already hold. Together we aim to drive an increase in defence skills, SMEs and jobs across all four nations.

We want to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a defence firm and will put Britain at the leading edge of innovation.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

This is a plan for good jobs paying decent wages in Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow, Sheffield, Plymouth and beyond.

Through Defence Growth Deals we will unleash the power of local economies while securing our country – building an economy that works for working people, in every part of this country, just as our Plan for Change promised.

Innovation and industrial power are central to deterrence and decisive factors in war. The conflict in Ukraine provides a stark reminder of the imperative of the necessity for fast replenishment and resupply by industry, and a rapid, continual cycle of innovation between industry and the front line.

The first Defence Growth Deals will be in:

• Plymouth – Home to the largest naval base in Western Europe, which will see £4 billion of investment over a 10-year period, the city has recently been designated as the national centre for marine autonomy to drive further innovation in the crucial maritime autonomous systems sector.
• South Yorkshire – A key region for the research, development and engineering of high-grade components and materials critical to the next generation of maritime, land and air capabilities. This includes specialist steel for gun barrels and nuclear submarines.
• Wales – The country is becoming a leader in UAV development and testing, from companies such as Tekever in Pembrokeshire, to testing sites including the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, and academic institutions including the Welsh Centre for Defence Autonomy.
• Scotland – Home to a dynamic mix of growth industries, from a rapidly advancing space sector, to next generation maritime innovation centred around the Clyde and Rosyth, and critical technology superclusters anchored by world-class academic institutions.
• Northern Ireland – Home to a diverse range of defence and dual use SMEs, the country is recognised as a leading cyber security hub, boosted by Queen’s University Belfast’s Centre for Secure Information Technologies and Momentum One Zero. It is also home to Thales and Harland & Wolff, companies that are critical to our support to Ukraine and our maritime strength.
• The DIS is a long-term investment in both security and high-growth economy – by strengthening the industrial base and preparing for future challenges, it will unlock defence’s potential as an engine for growth under the Government’s Plan for Change.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 6 September 2025.

UK jobs and skills will be the driving force behind making the country a defence industrial leader under a transformative new strategy to be launched next week.

• £182 million boost for defence talent pipeline, delivering on economic growth through the Plan for Change.
• In-demand defence technical skills to be boosted through five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, offering new opportunities into defence jobs.
• Landmark Defence Industrial Strategy set to back British business and adopt innovation lessons from Ukraine.

UK jobs and skills will be the driving force behind making the country a defence industrial leader under a transformative new strategy to be launched next week [Monday 8 September], including the creation of five defence-focused Technical Excellence Colleges to ensure industry has the workforce needed for the future.

It follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to BAE Scotstoun where he met shipyard workers to celebrate the UK securing a £10 billion deal with Norway for Type 26 frigates, which will support 4,000 British jobs well into the next decade. The deal highlights the government’s work to back British companies on the global stage and secure working people’s futures.

The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) will further back British businesses, putting the UK at the leading edge of defence innovation in NATO and ensuring this government’s record uplift in defence spending delivers a lasting dividend for people in every nation and region.

It will deliver a more integrated, innovative, and resilient defence sector and better equipped Armed Forces – supported by the historic increase in defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and the ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament.

New funding of £182 million will support a comprehensive package aimed at harnessing the skills needed for the future, from submarine engineers to specialist welders, and the cyber warfare specialists defence will need in the years to come. Defence is the engine room of national renewal, and this investment is focused on the future of the people who will be driving that work.

The DIS will support more opportunities for young people, help our Veterans into employment and equip the UK workforce with the expertise needed to meet the new era of threat set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), and the demands of a rapidly evolving defence sector to innovate at a wartime pace.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

It’s British workers who gave UK companies the leading edge in defence innovation and industry.

Our Defence Industrial Strategy puts skills at the heart of the Government’s plans to make the country safer and boost jobs across the UK.

This is the biggest defence skills plan in decades, a plan to boost Britain’s security and create well paid, high-skilled jobs for young people for generations to come.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

The defence sector doesn’t just keep the British people safe; it drives growth and unlocks opportunities for young people to learn pioneering skills and pursue a great career.

This investment and our new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges will break down barriers to opportunity for people in every corner of our country, drive economic growth as part of our Plan for Change and secure the UK’s place in the world, putting us at the cutting edge of innovation and new technology.

The Government’s comprehensive defence skills package centres on establishing five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, training people in the skills needed to secure new defence jobs in this growing industry, with applications to go live by the end of this calendar year, and successful TECs to be launched in 2026.

The package will fund thousands of short courses so that defence employers can upskill new hires and existing staff more quickly. Investing £80 million in our world leading universities will mean they can invest in cutting edge facilities and expand places for more people to study subjects like engineering and computer science that are critical to defence innovation.

This flagship initiative is complemented by ambitious regional STEM programmes designed to engage thousands of school-age students across four years, actively encouraging them to pursue defence careers.

Retention and career mobility are addressed through a new apprenticeship and graduate clearing system launching in 2026, plus scoping an innovative Defence Skills Passport which could facilitate smoother transitions for mid-career professionals between the Armed Forces, defence industry, and related sectors.

The package is a strong demonstration of making defence an engine for growth, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.

Background

The skills package includes:

• Establishing five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges with applications to go live by the end of this calendar year, and with successful TECs to be launched in 2026.
• Regional STEM initiatives to engage thousands of school-age students over the next four years to pursue careers in defence.
• Targeted short courses for people working in specific defence industries looking to progress their careers by boosting their skills.
• Investing in the higher education sector to boost places on defence-related courses.
• Establishing a Defence Universities Alliance, which will support and encourage defence sector careers and ethical defence research.
• Explore working with partners, such as UCAS, to provide a wealth of online information, advice, and guidance for prospective students interested in a career in the defence sector.
• A new apprenticeship and graduate clearing-style system to help support career opportunities across the defence supply-chain.
• Helping retain our people by scoping a Defence Skills Passport that could enable smoother transfer of mid-career professionals between the Armed Forces, the defence industry and those looking to re-enter from neighbouring industries.
• Launching a new Destination Defence campaign, working with industry to promote the breadth of exciting roles available across the sector and the opportunities for people to keep our nation safe.