UK Aerospace & Defence Sectors Add £42B to Economy
The UK’s aerospace, defence, security, and space sectors contributed £42.2B to the economy in 2024, up 64% over the past decade, with total turnover hitting £100B and exports reaching £45.4B, according to ADS.
The sectors now support 443,000 jobs, with two-thirds based outside London. Productivity is 42% above the UK average, and over 26,000 apprentices are in training.
Aerospace productivity rose 71%, generating £13.6B in value, while defence exports hit £13.7B, driven by military aviation.
Leaders called for continued government support through the upcoming Industrial Strategy to maintain growth and resilience.
UK Invests £250M in Green Aerospace Innovation
The UK government and industry are investing £250M in cutting-edge aerospace projects to advance net zero aviation, announced at the Paris Air Show.
Backed by the Aerospace Technology Institute, the funding supports developments in hydrogen flight, gas turbines, and aerostructure manufacturing, benefiting major firms like Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GKN, and UK SMEs.
The move supports the UK aerospace sector’s £34B turnover, £13.6B economic contribution, and 100,000 jobs, and sets the stage for the upcoming Industrial Strategy focused on advanced manufacturing and clean growth.
Briggs Marine Wins £182M MoD Contract
Briggs Marine has secured its largest-ever defence deal—a £182 million, 8-year contract with the UK MoD to supply and maintain moorings, markers, and navigation aids.
Part of the MoD’s next-gen marine services programme, the contract includes modernising mooring systems, using vessels like the MV Forth Constructor, and assumes full design and assurance responsibilities.
The deal will safeguard jobs, support UK naval operations, and boost investment in Briggs’ fleet and infrastructure.
GKN Leads £12M ASPIRE Wing Project
GKN Aerospace is leading the £12M ASPIRE programme to develop and test advanced composite wingtip and flap structures for future aircraft. Running until 2028, the UK-backed project involves three full-scale wingtip variants and a novel composite flap, focusing on automation, sustainability, and manufacturability.
The consortium includes Carbon ThreeSixty, iCOMAT, Lineat, Pentaxia, and the University of Bath, with support from the Aerospace Technology Institute. ASPIRE will validate technologies like RTM, RTS fibres, and press-cured ribs, aiming to boost UK aerospace innovation and next-gen aircraft readiness.
Dstl Awards Orpheus Satellite Deal to Astroscale
Dstl has awarded Astroscale UK a £5.15M contract for the Orpheus space domain awareness mission, launching in 2027.
In partnership with Open Cosmos, Astroscale will build and operate two cubesats carrying payloads to monitor space weather and the ionosphere, supporting both civil and defence applications.
Key sensors include hyperspectral imagers, ionospheric and radiation monitors, with contributions from UK, US, Canadian, and South African partners. The project runs through 2028 and supports 27 UK jobs.
ZeroAvia Gets UK Grant for Hydrogen Flight Test
ZeroAvia has secured UK government backing for LH-SIFT, a £10.8M project to develop and flight test a liquid hydrogen fuel system in a Dornier 228.
Supported by ATI, Innovate UK, and the Department for Business and Trade, the project includes a lightweight tank and advanced fuel handling tech, developed with partners Green Resource Engineering and Gas & Liquid Controls.
It will create the world’s first liquid hydrogen flying testbed, advancing ZeroAvia’s roadmap toward zero-emission aircraft and reinforcing UK leadership in sustainable aviation.