The UK’s aerospace, defence, security, and space industries have evolved from pioneering beginnings into a world leading powerhouse of innovation and national capability.

Today, these vibrant sectors generate nearly £100 billion in turnover, reflecting 57% growth over the last decade, and deliver £42.2 billion in value add to the UK economy, up 64% over ten years. They now directly employ 443,000 people, sustaining highly skilled jobs and advanced manufacturing across the country as well as meeting our security needs.

ADS’ heritage originates from those early days, and this week we are proud to celebrate 110 years of securing UK advantage.

From early aircraft pioneers to a modern industry voice

The roots of ADS stretch back to the First World War. In March 1916, 41 British aircraft manufacturers – including early trailblazers such as Frederick Handley Page, H.V. Roe of Avro, Henry White-Smith of Bristol, George Holt Thomas, and Thomas Sopwith – united to form the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC). Their aim was simple but transformative: standardise components, share designs, pool production, and speak to Government with one voice when air power was still in its infancy.

This movement began with discussions on 29 March 1915, when manufacturers recognised that collaboration would be essential if Britain was to scale aircraft production quickly enough for wartime demands. By 23 March 1916, more than 40 companies had officially joined, laying the foundation for what would become the World’s first national aerospace trade body.

As peace returned, SBAC continued to grow by bringing in engine builders, materials companies, and engineering specialists. It played a pivotal role in the development of aircraft inspection and insurance, working with Lloyd’s of London to help build confidence in commercial aviation and support what would become a truly global industry.

Taking to the skies: The birth of the air show

By the early 1930s, the industry’s ambitions had outgrown the factory floor. SBAC staged its first one-day trade and air show at Hendon Airfield in 1932, with additional shows in the three years that followed.

These early gatherings showcased Britain’s engineering talent and quietly set the stage for what was to become one of the world’s most iconic aerospace events, the Farnborough International Airshow.

After a wartime pause, the airshow returned in 1946 at Radlett, followed by a larger event in 1947. Then, in 1948, SBAC moved the show to the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, establishing the six-day format of trade days during the week and public days on weekends. This marked the birth of the Farnborough International Airshow as a global platform for innovation, engineering excellence, and international collaboration.

Fast-forward to the 2000s, and the landscape of aerospace, defence, and security was evolving rapidly. To strengthen industry alignment and better reflect the interconnected technologies shaping national capability, October 2009 saw the SBAC merge with the Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA) and the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers (APPSS) to form ADS Group.

This merger brought together complementary strengths from across aerospace, defence, and security, creating a united organisation equipped to champion the UK’s industrial base on the global stage.

Brinley Salzmann, ADS Director – Overseas & Exports, has been with ADS for forty years, firstly employed at the DMA before moving into the ADS defence team. He says of the merger,

The creation of ADS resulted in the establishment of a much larger and more robust organisation that was better able to meet the needs of the sectors that it represents, and to assist its members.

A good example of this agility was during the Covid crisis. We were able to assist those members who were involved in the civil aviation sector, who had seen their business reduce to such an extent, it represented an existential threat to them. We helped them explore opportunities in our other sectors which were perceived as being relatively benign “safe harbours”.  Also, we assisted members to offer their capabilities to the Government to meet other emerging urgent needs, such as in the production of personal protective equipment and respirators.

The existence of ADS was of very real, demonstrable and tangible benefit to both our members and the Government, as well as wider society.

Today, ADS continues to build on SBAC’s pioneering legacy—now supporting over 1,800 organisations, promoting innovation, helping members win business both domestically and internationally, and ensuring the UK remains a world leader across aerospace, defence, security, and space.

Our stewardship of the Farnborough International Airshow connects us directly to those early Hendon gatherings, while our policy work, standards development, and industry advocacy reflect the same collaborative spirit that fuelled our early years. 

References:

Thank you also to Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum (FAST) archives for sourcing and providing the early footage on the video.