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
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
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal joined a guestlist of more than 160 NATO defence industry representatives aboard HMS Warrior in Portsmouth […] Read more
For the first time this century, a high-level gathering of NATO industrialists is taking place in the UK, in Portsmouth, the home […] Read more
Tomorrow, the United Kingdom will host the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) Plenary for the first time this century. This is a […] Read more
Matthew Reynolds joins the ADS Group leadership team as Chief Information Officer He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience […] Read more
Joint Statement on the Defence Investment Plan and defence spending by ADS, Make UK Defence, SMI, techUK and TheCityUK. As the UK’s […] 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.
Precision Machining Solutions. Competing in a global marketplace: Serving Aerospace, Medical Device,...
DundalkExensor Technology Limited have designed and manufactured equipment for military applications since ...
BasingstokeAt Frazer-Nash, our consultants apply their expertise and know-how to develop, enhance and protect o...
Leatherheadmthree solves the capability gap at its root: people. Our Hire, Train, Deploy and Expert Talent pro...
LondonIrvinGQ brings to you our specialist and proven products and services from our world-leading Aerial ...
BRIDGENDSpecialists in the Design and Manufacture of Advanced Composites Structures. Developing complex 3D c...
ChippenhamModini specialise in the design, development, test, evaluation and operational delivery of complex u...
Pewsey