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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)
Security Briefing & Networking Event – Sponsored by DHL Supply Chain
Webinar: Quantum Decryption is Coming – Are You Ready?
Innovation incentives and reliefs playbook: workshop and clinics
Online Roundtable – AI in Defence: The Capability Gaps Behind the Strategy
Knowledge
Always available to help our members unlock sector insight, Government priorities and economic trends on issues affecting our sectors
ADS and AIAD Strengthen UK-Italy Cooperation in Aerospace and Defence
ADS and AIAD Strengthen UK-Italy Cooperation in Aerospace and Defence
Rome (21 May 2026) – ADS and AIAD have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation for their respective defence […] Read more
Andy Williams becomes new Director of ADS Scotland
Andy Williams becomes new Director of ADS Scotland
Andy Williams joins the ADS leadership team as Director of ADS Scotland This appointment strengthens ADS’ mission to support the aerospace, defence, […] Read more
Rocketry challenge launches aerospace ambitions among 250 South East schoolchildren
Rocketry challenge launches aerospace ambitions among 250 South East schoolchildren
Image credit to Ben Adams Photography 51 teams competed in the South East Regional Final of the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) The […] Read more
304 young rocketeers ignite future aerospace careers at Northern rocketry finals
304 young rocketeers ignite future aerospace careers at Northern rocketry finals
Image credit to Ben Adams Photography 64 teams competed in the largest Northern Regional Final of the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) Birkdale […] Read more
Rocketry challenge inspires future workforce of 200 schoolchildren in the South West
Rocketry challenge inspires future workforce of 200 schoolchildren in the South West
198 students took part in the largest South West Regional Final of the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) UTC Portsmouth (Day 1 […] Read more
Deborah Higgins appointed as Security & Resilience Director at ADS
Deborah Higgins appointed as Security & Resilience Director at ADS
Deborah Higgins joins the ADS leadership team as the Director of Security & Resilience This appointment strengthens ADS’ mission to grow […] Read more
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
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.
