A new plan has been launched at an event in Plymouth showcasing the South West’s crucial role in the UK’s defence and economic security – thanks to the acceleration of defence technologies and support of research and development in areas such as cybersecurity, AI, autonomous systems, and next-generation aerospace.
The Regional Defence Prospectus, published by The Great South West, details how major regional military sites, including Babcock, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Atlas Elektronik and the National Drone Hub, are contributing to job creation and bolstering Britain’s defences.
Released ahead of the Government’s upcoming Defence Review, the prospectus explains how local businesses and workers stand to gain from fresh investment in technology.
The defence sector in the South West, across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset, already supports more than 61,000 jobs and injects £2.8 billion into the economy.
The Prospectus outlines how the South West is well-positioned to scale up skills and workforce development, ensuring the UK possesses the specialist talent required to deliver national defence priorities and technology innovations. It will also be central to unlocking export opportunities, leveraging the region’s defence industry to enhance the UK’s global security and tech presence.
Nick Ames, CEO of Supacat, Supporting Partner of the event, said: “We are delighted to be the Supporting Partner for the Great South West’s event to launch the region’s first Defence Prospectus. This is an important document that illustrates the existing defence assets and capabilities in the region, identifying where economic growth can be guaranteed provided there is adequate investment and recognition.
As an SME in the region we are proud to be part of that mix, contributing to the nation’s security and the region’s prosperity by ensuring that 85% of our materials are procured from within the region, and recruiting and training our staff from the local community.“
Image source: Great South West (Image caption L-R: Steve Race MP, Clive Higgins, Fred Thomas MP, Tan Dhesi MP, Nick Ames, Ian Roome MP)
