On 8 September 2025, the Government published the Defence Industrial Strategy, with newly appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence Luke Pollard MP stating that a “new era of threat demands a new era of defence”.

The Strategy has six objectives:

  • Making defence an engine for growth
  • Backing UK-based businesses
  • Positioning the UK at the leading edge of defence innovation
  • Developing a resilient UK industrial base
  • Transforming procurement and acquisition systems
  • Forging new and enduring partnerships

Read flash reaction from ADS CEO Kevin Craven below:

“The primary purpose of defence and security is to protect and deter – but in doing so, the value we provide to the economy is increasingly critical to innovation and prosperity. Our members – the manufacturers and service providers behind the UK’s deterrence capability – are proud of all that we deliver for people, innovation, and security.

This afternoon’s long-awaited Defence Industrial Strategy is a remarkable moment on that journey, and for the 180,000+ people driving our sector forward. Defence businesses are at the heart of local communities: our sector drives social mobility and prosperity through the high proportion of jobs we provide to people from all walks of life. Significant investment in wider skills packages, alongside the £250 million investment in Defence Growth Deals, will be critical to maintaining both our defence posture and the talent that delivers it.

Exports from the UK’s defence and security sectors have doubled in the last decade. UK-made capability is in demand, and any way that government and industry can work together to speed up this process is welcome.

Our modelling, as noted by the Minister for the Armed Forces in his statement to the House, indicates that increases in spending could generate an additional 50,000 jobs and £8 billion in value to the UK economy.

Effective delivery of the Defence Industrial Strategy will deliver a whole-of-society benefit. Industry stands ready to play our part.”

Read the full strategy via gov.uk here. 

Our policy team have shared a briefing to members on the 112-page document (login to read). To access the briefing, you will need to be logged into an ADS member account. If you haven’t registered for an account, you can do so here.

Key highlights

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This page was updated 21:00 BST, 8 September 2025.