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.
In 2024, the UK aerospace, defence, security and space sectors’ contribution to the UK economy totalled:
As the national trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors, ADS works to promote and support their interests both at home and abroad. Spanning the length and breadth of the UK, ADS has more than 1,500+ member companies which includes over 1,000 SMEs.
Employment across our sectors has grown by a third in the last ten years. Supporting 443,000 direct jobs across the country, ADS and our members aim to expand this unique workforce capability and national advantage. Our sectors offer opportunities vital to the UK’s future as a high-tech, high-skill, high-wage economy. Figures also demonstrate a strong pipeline of young talent across all four sectors, with 26,200 apprenticeships playing a crucial role within the workforce.
In an increasingly competitive world, the UK aerospace sector must navigate new challenges to safeguard the industry for the future.
Aerospace is key to delivering the ultimate prize of economic growth, but only by collaborating with government can industry tackle the global backlog of aircraft orders and leverage opportunities to decarbonise aviation.
The UK Defence Sector faces an increasingly complex threat landscape, shifting geopolitical priorities, and resource competition within tight fiscal constraints.
From technological advancements that are changing the techniques of warfare, to shifting geopolitical priorities amongst NATO allies, the UK defence industry is the critical enabler to UK security.
As AI-driven cyber risks grow, national resilience planning evolves, and the Government places greater emphasis on economic security, the UK’s security and resilience sector must navigate new regulatory and commercial pressures.
The coming years will require greater investment in innovation, collaboration with government, and a proactive approach to securing the UK’s critical infrastructure and supply chains.
The UK space sector is critical to our connectivity and security, taking a leading role in a blossoming global space market.
View full publication for the ADS Facts & Figures 2025 below:
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