The UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries are at the heart of the UK economy, building a secure and prosperous legacy. Our true value is our ability to deliver growth and prosperity throughout the nation.
The 2026 ADS Industry Facts and Figures guide shows the extent to which companies in our sectors serve as the industrial bedrock of the UK – delivering the well-paid jobs and high-tech exports we need to secure a prosperous future.
ADS is the UK trade association advancing leadership in aerospace, defence, security and space, to enable prosperity and clean, secure growth for our nation.
ADS promotes its members in lifting the limits to a new future built on clean growth, sovereign capabilities for peace, and opening space to all.






Always available to help our members unlock sector insight, Government priorities and economic trends on issues affecting our sectors
£36.2 billion ($48.8 billion) of aircraft deals have been made on day one of Farnborough International Airshow 234 firm aircraft orders […] Read more
673 aircraft were delivered in the first six months of 2026, representing the highest half-year delivery total since 2018 Over the first […] Read more
The trade association representing the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries has reached 2,000 members More than 400 organisations joined […] Read more
Introduction The NATO Summit in Ankara marked an important moment for the Alliance. While recent summits have focused on strategy, deterrence and […] Read more
This summer we’re swapping laptops for lycra, and embarking on a 350-mile journey from Belfast to Bristol, taking in some stunning scenery […] Read more
The UK defence sector is no longer simply a supporting function. It is now a strategic capability in its own right, central […] Read more
The UK aerospace is ramping up production to meet unprecedented levels of demand, despite ongoing supply chain challenges and geopolitical uncertainty. With […] Read more
The aerospace, defence, security and space sectors added £46.8 billion to the UK economy last year Businesses in the sector generated […] Read more
Students from Abbeyfield School, Chippenham, have been crowned this year’s UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) winners Team ‘Triple T Rockets’ will go […] Read more
The long-awaited Defence Investment Plan has been published. The Plan is backed by £298bn of investment over the next four years. It […] Read more
This summer we’re swapping laptops for lycra, and embarking on a 350-mile journey from Belfast to Bristol, taking in some stunning scenery […] Read more
142 commercial aircraft were delivered in May 2026, a 45% increase on last year’s figures 406 aircraft orders were placed in May […] Read more
All ADS Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are formed of Members and stakeholders with similar professional specialities. These groups are designed to enable Members to network, seek out business development opportunities, learn, influence markets and stakeholders and keep up to date with current, related developments.
ADS' 1,700+ members are the custodians of a world-leading advanced engineering and services workforce.
Managementors is a dynamic and growing independent business operations consultancy based in the UK. ...
Theale, ReadingDecision Lab provides mission-ready, AI-powered decision support systems to help leaders across the ...
LoughboroughSpecialists in Polymer Products & Parts for Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Sectors ICL Tech L...
GlasgowCyber Guarded Ltd are vendor independent IT Security specialists providing infrastructure, cloud, Io...
BELFASTSpecialising in Rapid Response, NPI (New product introduction) and Prototyping, CNC Tool and Die are...
LisburnLaser Optical Engineering Ltd is an expert technology company, specialising in the development of in...
East Midlands AirportAkkodis UK Ltd is a multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy with activities spanning the defence,...
LondonCablescan manufacture and develop high performance electrical cable assemblies / wiring harnesses / ...
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