Defence

The UK has been responsible for some of the greatest breakthroughs in the Defence sector, including the invention of the jet engine. The sector continues to drive innovation through investment in research and development, including in new technologies such as quantum and space. The UK’s modern Industrial Strategy will supercharge the full potential of the country’s defence ecosystem by channelling support to this sector.

In an uncertain world, the UK Government’s 10-year plan makes defence an engine for economic growth, supporting business scale-up, growth and innovation to transform the UK into a defence industrial superpower by 2035.  Policies will make the UK a defence innovation leader, increasing our support for novel technologies and their pull through from prototype to production.

Why the UK for Defence?​

An innovation hub

The UK is turbocharging innovation with a new £400 million ringfenced budget for UK Defence Innovation, alongside a commitment to spend at least 10% of the Ministry of Defence equipment budget on novel technologies.

A national priority

The Industrial Strategy will build on the UK Government’s largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War – to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027 and an ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament as economic and fiscal conditions allow – coupled with reforms to procurement and planning, to support investment.

Regional opportunities

Our defence capability is spread throughout the country.  Ministry of Defence spending with industry supports over 200,000 jobs across the UK, with nearly 70% of spending outside London and the South East. For example, Plymouth is home to a cluster of world-class marine businesses and leading research institutions, and Barrow-in-Furness plays a critical role in maintaining the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

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