Fri, 18 Jul 2025

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 Defence firms 'confident' hundreds more jobs will come

The UK government is increasing spending on defence, but companies who supply military kit have yet to see any new contracts.

* Hundreds more jobs will be created as a result of increased government spending on defence
* Defence industry companies, including Leonardo Helicopters and Broadway Group, are anticipating an increase in work due to government contracts
* Over 40,000 people work for defence sector companies in the South West, with many attending the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in Gloucestershire
* A £1bn deal to supply the RAF with over 20 new helicopters could create or secure over 3,000 jobs across the country
* Hundreds of young apprentices and graduate engineers are being recruited by defence sector companies
* Companies in the defence sector, including those in the South West, are waiting for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to finalise contracts and orders for new equipment and kit
* The MoD review of defence spending will likely result in more work for defence industry companies, with a focus on increasing industrial capacity in the UK and across Europe.
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