On 22 April 2026, the government has announced a new £50 million Defence Growth Deal for Northern Ireland.
Set out in the 2025 Defence Industrial Strategy, the Deal aims to grow the defence ecosystem, boost competitiveness and create jobs across Northern Ireland, while delivering targeted support for SMEs and start‑ups entering the defence supply chain.
Joseph Reffitt, ADS Northern Ireland Director said:
“We are delighted to see the government launch its fifth and final Defence Growth Deal here in Northern Ireland. The Northern Irish defence sector already makes a substantial contribution to the local economy, supporting well‑paid, highly skilled jobs right across the region. While the detail will be pivotal, we hope this deal will help build on our existing strengths by investing in the engineering capability and the workforce we are known for.
ADS has been pleased to work closely with regional partners, the Ministry of Defence and our members to help unlock Northern Ireland’s full potential, and we look forward to continuing that collaboration to ensure these initiatives deliver long‑term, sustainable benefits for industry and the communities we support.”
