Thousands of jobs on way
Britain’s defence industry is riding high after landing a £1.4 billion foreign investment jackpot – with more than 1,700 new jobs set to be created across the UK.
The huge cash injection, secured over the past year, will pump fresh life into shipyards, drone factories and weapons plants – from Belfast shipbuilding to artillery systems in Telford and an expanded drone hub in Hampshire.
Defence chiefs say it’s a massive vote of confidence in British know-how – and proof that the UK is seen as a global leader in cutting-edge military tech.
Boost for British workers
Defence Secretary John Healey said the deal shows the world is backing Britain: “A strong defence industrial base helps keep Britain safe and makes defence an engine for growth.”
Among the big winners:
- Ultra Maritime in Greenford, London, has opened a £20m site making sonobuoys for the Royal Navy, creating 100 skilled jobs.
- Arondite, a veteran-founded firm, has launched a new AI defence-tech office in Farringdon with a £100m R&D push and 100 new jobs.
- Belfast will see shipbuilding secured for years to come.
- Telford will benefit from investment in artillery production.
Ministers say the jobs will span manufacturing, engineering and support services, with many offering high wages and specialist training.
Strategy still to come
The Government’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, which will set out how Britain plans to protect supply chains, strengthen sovereign capabilities and attract more international giants to set up shop here.
Maria Eagle, Minister for Defence Procurement, said: “By deepening their investment in state-of-the-art facilities, it’s another demonstration of the confidence defence firms have in growing their companies in the UK.”
Meanwhile, Veterans Minister Alistair Carns hailed Arondite’s AI expansion as “exactly the kind of British innovation” that shows defence can be both a security shield and a jobs machine.
Jobs vs politics
The investment wave comes at a politically sensitive time. After this week’s Cabinet reshuffle, ministers are under pressure to show that defence spending delivers not just security, but also tangible benefits for workers outside London.
Critics warn the Government must ensure jobs land evenly across regions, not just in the capital. Others say foreign investment, while welcome, cannot be a substitute for long-term domestic support for SMEs already struggling to win defence contracts.
Big picture
The Ministry of Defence insists the latest deals prove Britain is still a world-class destination for defence money and skills. With global threats rising, ministers say foreign investors are betting on Britain’s ability to deliver advanced tech at speed.
But unions and industry watchers will be watching closely to see if the £1.4bn promise actually translates into lasting jobs or just another round of headlines.
For now though, the message from Whitehall is simple: the world’s money is coming to Britain’s defence and it’s paying out in thousands of pay packets.
