On 12 March 2026, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, and the Secretary of State for Scotland, The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, launched the £50 million Scotland Defence Growth Deal.
As outlined in the 2025 Defence Industrial Strategy, the Growth Deal will ensure Scotland leads in the technologies shaping the next generation of defence — including maritime, space, quantum and advanced engineering.
Scotland already employs 36,900 people across our sector, contributing £3.7 billion in value add to the UK. We look forward to seeing this continue to grow.
Warrick Malcolm, ADS Scotland Director said:
“Scotland’s defence sector already makes a substantial contribution to the national economy, providing well-paid employment across the nation.
The announcement of the Growth Deal has the potential to build on that foundation by strengthening the innovation and skills infrastructure that industry relies on. While the detail will be pivotal, investment in engineering capability and specialist training can help ensure Scotland continues to deliver the high‑value jobs, productivity and technological leadership that our sectors are known for.
We look forward to working with government and partners to ensure these initiatives translate into long‑term, sustainable benefits for Scottish industry and the communities it supports.”
