ADS FIA2026 Hub
Where can I find a high-quality job?
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)
Online Roundtable – AI in Defence: The Capability Gaps Behind the Strategy
AI Deep Dive Webinars – Webinar two – Assured AI
Knowledge
Always available to help our members unlock sector insight, Government priorities and economic trends on issues affecting our sectors
Steel tariffs: a disaster in the making for UK industry?
Steel tariffs: a disaster in the making for UK industry?
In less than a month’s time, the UK government will introduce a new Steel Trade Measure, designed – Ministers say – to […] 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
Iran war could test aerospace supply chains: Industry remains resilient, despite structural risks
Iran war could test aerospace supply chains: Industry remains resilient, despite structural risks
Joint Roland Berger study with the aviation associations ADS, BDLI and GIFAS highlights improved resilience, yet warns of structural vulnerabilities amid rising […] Read more
Record backlog follows eightfold increase in aircraft orders, ADS reveals
Record backlog follows eightfold increase in aircraft orders, ADS reveals
164 aircraft orders were placed in April 2026, nearly eight times those placed in April 2025 115 aircraft were delivered in April […] Read more
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
King’s Speech 2026
King’s Speech 2026
On 13 May 2026, King Charles III delivered the King’s Speech, setting out the Government’s legislative agenda for the next Parliamentary session […] 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
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.
