Government launches Defence Industrial Strategy with promise of jobs

Reporter
National Press Corporation(NPC)
United Kingdom

The UK government will unveil a new Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) on Monday, backed by a £250m fund, with the aim of creating thousands of jobs and strengthening innovation across the country’s defence sector.

Defence Secretary John Healey is due to announce the strategy during a visit to Bristol-based defence technology firm Rowden on 8 September, where he will open its new facility.

The government says the initiative will create new opportunities for working families, including highly skilled engineering roles and apprenticeships for young people, while contributing to regional economic growth.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the plan would “unleash the power of local economies while securing our country”. Officials estimate up to 50,000 new defence jobs could be generated by 2035.

Defence Growth Deals

At the centre of the strategy are five new Defence Growth Deals, designed to expand regional strengths across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland:

• Plymouth – Positioned as the UK’s national centre for marine autonomy, supported by £4bn of naval investment over the next decade.
• South Yorkshire – A hub for advanced materials and steel production, producing specialist submarine and weaponry components.
• Wales – Focused on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and autonomy research, with support from firms such as Tekever and the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre.
• Scotland – Concentrating on maritime and space technology innovation, with clusters around the Clyde, Rosyth, and leading universities.
• Northern Ireland – A leader in cyber security and dual-use technologies, home to Thales, Harland & Wolff, and Queen’s University Belfast’s Centre for Secure Information Technologies.

The £250m fund will be distributed in partnership with local authorities, businesses and academia, supporting job creation, skills training and innovation.

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

Strategic context

The government says the strategy reflects the need to respond to evolving global threats, including the war in Ukraine, and highlights the importance of rapid innovation and stronger industrial capacity to maintain national security.

With defence spending projected to rise to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and with ambitions to reach 3%, ministers argue the DIS represents a long-term investment not only in security but also in economic growth.