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Industry Facts & Figures 2026
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Industry Facts & Figures 2026
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.
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 Rocketry Challenge 2027 – Sponsorship Opportunities
Conference: Connecting businesses to retain military advantage (UK-Denmark-Finland-Sweden) 2026
AI Deep Dive Webinars: Webinar four – AI in Cyber Security Operations
Translating the DIP into Capability: Delivering the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy Ambition with the 1SL
Knowledge
Always available to help our members unlock sector insight, Government priorities and economic trends on issues affecting our sectors
Over 900 aircraft deliveries made so far in 2026, according to ADS data
Over 900 aircraft deliveries made so far in 2026, according to ADS data
903 commercial aircraft deliveries recorded between January and August 2026 marks the highest year-to-date total since 2018 August deliveries reached their second-highest […] Read more
50,000 defence opportunities for young people in major apprenticeship and work experience drive
50,000 defence opportunities for young people in major apprenticeship and work experience drive
Today, the UK Ministry of Defence announced a major new initiative to provide 50,000 work experience opportunities for 18-24-year-olds across the UK […] Read more
UK Defence ESG Charter: Improving diversity, equality and inclusion at all levels
UK Defence ESG Charter: Improving diversity, equality and inclusion at all levels
The UK Defence ESG Charter brings together organisations committed to improving environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, helping to build a more […] Read more
Membership survey: Your opinion drives our priorities. Share it today!
Membership survey: Your opinion drives our priorities. Share it today!
Every two years, we conduct our membership survey and we’re thrilled to launch it for 2026. The survey gives us the opportunity […] Read more
Five years of AUKUS
Five years of AUKUS
This week marks five years since the launch of AUKUS, the security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. […] Read more
UK Defence ESG Charter: Turning resource challenges into supply chain resilience
UK Defence ESG Charter: Turning resource challenges into supply chain resilience
The UK Defence ESG Charter brings together organisations committed to improving environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, helping to build a more […] Read more
Unlocking the next phase of defence growth for SMEs – takeaways from DSRC
Unlocking the next phase of defence growth for SMEs – takeaways from DSRC
Supported by ADS, the inaugural Defence Security Resilience Cymru (DSRC) event held at ICC Wales in Newport last week, convened SMEs, prime […] Read more
UK Defence ESG Charter: Increasing supply chain resilience on critical minerals
UK Defence ESG Charter: Increasing supply chain resilience on critical minerals
The UK Defence ESG Charter brings together organisations committed to improving environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, helping to build a more […] Read more
Value of aerospace, defence, security and space to Wales grew by a quarter since 2020, ADS data reveals
Value of aerospace, defence, security and space to Wales grew by a quarter since 2020, ADS data reveals
The aerospace, defence, security and space sectors added £2 billion to Wales’ economy in 2025, growth of 25% since 2020 Turnover […] Read more
Aircraft order backlog surpasses 17,000 for the first time, ADS data reveals
Aircraft order backlog surpasses 17,000 for the first time, ADS data reveals
More than five times as many aircraft were ordered in July 2026 compared to July 2025 The global commercial aircraft backlog has […] Read more
UK Defence ESG Charter: Contributing to clean and innovative technologies
UK Defence ESG Charter: Contributing to clean and innovative technologies
The UK Defence ESG Charter brings together organisations committed to improving environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, helping to build a more […] Read more
Aerospace industry unites for UK recruitment campaign to tackle skills shortages
Aerospace industry unites for UK recruitment campaign to tackle skills shortages
Trade body ADS launches “There’s Aerospace For You” recruitment campaign as two thirds of aerospace employers warn skills shortages threaten future growth […] 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.
