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Introducing ADS South West
Ukraine Bespoke Membership
Access professional support with the ADS Business Services Network
Industry Facts & Figures 2025
Global markets are in reach with our United Kingdom pavilions
Industry Facts & Figures 2025
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 2025 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.
Securing UK advantage
ADS is the UK trade association advancing leadership in aerospace, defence, security and space, to enable prosperity and clean, secure growth for our nation.
Upcoming events
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.
UK Youth Rocketry Challenge 2026 (UKROC)
Webinar: Lunch and Learn – ADS International Business Development
Briefing: Resilience: How do the Authorities respond to a major incident and how can you prepare?
Webinar: Negotiating with government: A practical playbook for ADS members
Knowledge
Always available to help our members unlock sector insight, Government priorities and economic trends on issues affecting our sectors
Sustainability at the centre of resilience, Second UK Defence ESG Charter Report shows
Sustainability at the centre of resilience, Second UK Defence ESG Charter Report shows
Report finds that defence companies have reduced their emissions by 13% annually Defence companies have seen a 6% year-on-year increase in female […] Read more
13-year high for Q1 aircraft orders, ADS reveals
13-year high for Q1 aircraft orders, ADS reveals
569 commercial aircraft orders were placed in Q1 of 2026, representing the largest Q1 order book since 2013 Single-aisle aircraft orders were […] Read more
What the Defence RTIC reveals about the UK’s defence sector
What the Defence RTIC reveals about the UK’s defence sector
It hardly takes two glances at today’s newspaper headlines to see that that defence is vital to our national security, but also […] Read more
Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal
Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal
On 22 April 2026, the government has announced a new £50 million Defence Growth Deal for Northern Ireland. Set out in the […] Read more
ADS Space Innovator 1: Artemis II
ADS Space Innovator 1: Artemis II
Image courtesy of NASA/Ben Smegelsky, Artemis II Mission Introduction The ADS Space Innovator series will run across 2026 exploring innovative technologies within […] Read more
Funding strategy in aerospace and defence: why forward planning matters more than ever
Funding strategy in aerospace and defence: why forward planning matters more than ever
For aerospace, defence, security and space businesses, innovation is rarely optional. Whether developing next generation platforms, improving system resilience, or advancing dual-use […] Read more
Earth Day: Making sustainability a core part of operational excellence
Earth Day: Making sustainability a core part of operational excellence
Sustainable operations are the result of robust processes and continuous improvement — supported by the right expertise. With 68% of aerospace and […] Read more
Martyn’s Law Statutory Guidance
Martyn’s Law Statutory Guidance
On 15 April 2026, the UK Home Office published its statutory guidance explaining the core concepts of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) […] Read more
Technical Excellence Colleges
Technical Excellence Colleges
On 14 April 2026, the government announced the creation of 19 new Technical Excellence Colleges across the country, including five Defence Technical […] Read more
Plymouth Defence Growth Deal
Plymouth Defence Growth Deal
On 9 April 2026, the government announced a £50 million boost for defence businesses in Plymouth and the South West with new […] Read more
Defence Diplomacy Strategy in review
Defence Diplomacy Strategy in review
On the 24th of March 2026, the government published the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, as recommended in the Strategic Defence Review. The strategy […] Read more
Developing a growth mindset for success – New Professionals Forum
Developing a growth mindset for success – New Professionals Forum
Stepping into a new career chapter is an opportune moment to review your approach to success. With the right mindset, you can […] Read more
Get involved
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.
