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How defence contributes to the prosperity of the UK and supports the UK economy

The impact of defence spending is felt in every region of the country through its support of 260,000 UK jobs and nearly £20-billion investment into UK industries every year.

• From: Ministry of Defence
• Published: 19 September 2019
• Last updated: 2 April 2024 — See all updates

The UK defence sector is a national success story, a world leader in defence capability, supporting our own armed forces and those of our allies and partners by delivering unique export opportunities across the world.

Pumping £20-billion into industry, defence’s impact is felt in every region of the UK. From a small medium enterprise supplier on the Isle of Man building crucial F-35 equipment, to major employers supporting whole communities through major defence procurement projects. Defence strengthens the union by creating rewarding, highly skilled jobs and encouraging investment in every region of the UK. Defence makes a significant contribution to the UK skills base by being one of the nation’s largest employer of apprentices and the positive impact of defence on UK science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) capability.

As a uniquely national sector with a worldwide reach, the work of defence underpins the government’s industrial and economic strategies and continues to drive British innovation on the international stage.

Through the Defence Prosperity Programme, we are working with other government departments and industry to grow the contribution defence makes to the UK economy.

Find out about the Ministry of Defence’s priorities

Video: defence expenditure with UK industry

News / Announcements

Find out the latest Prosperity news

• Royal Navy warships to be boosted with new cutting-edge launchers
  • 26 March 2024
  • Press release
• UK firm appointed to build Australian AUKUS submarines
  • 21 March 2024
  • Press release
• Ministry of Defence and McLaren team up to drive innovation
  • 16 March 2024
  • News story
• Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinooks
  • 14 March 2024
  • Press release
• £560 Million investment to modernise nuclear submarine supporting more than 1,000 jobs
  • 1 March 2024
  • Press release
• Scotland boosting UK with more than £2 billion spend in defence annually
  • 9 February 2024
  • News story
• UK defence industry spending tops £25 billion for first time
  • 8 February 2024
  • Press release
• Smarter maintenance for Navy Fleet under £1.85 billion contract
  • 2 February 2024
  • Press release
• Bridging the gap: Essential military bridging contract secures 300 UK jobs
  • 25 January 2024
  • Press release
• Huge boost for global security with almost £1 billion government investment
  • 18 January 2024
  • Press release
• Industry leaders welcome Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy
  • 17 January 2024
  • Press release
• Digital defence transformation boosted by £150 million UK contract
  • 17 January 2024
  • Press release
• Measures announced to boost teacher recruitment and retention
  • 15 January 2024
  • Press release
• High streets levelled up with £7 million funding boost
  • 6 December 2023
  • Press release
• Government publishes £2 billion vision for engineering biology to revolutionise medicine, food and environmental protection
  • 5 December 2023
  • Press release
• Service announcement: £3.9 billion boost for more reliable train journeys in the North
  • 4 December 2023
  • News story
• £121 Million Investment into future Submarines supports 250 Jobs
  • 28 November 2023
  • Press release
• New £88 million sensing equipment to protect UK Armed Forces
  • 6 October 2023
  • Press release
• £4 Billion UK contracts progresses AUKUS submarine design
  • 1 October 2023
  • Press release

Related information

• MOD regional expenditure with UK industry and supported employment: 2019/20
  • 12 August 2021
  • Official Statistics
• Procurement at MOD
  • 23 November 2023
• Defence Secretary sets out ambitious Defence Prosperity Programme
  • 14 March 2019
  • News story
• Defence STEM engagement
  • 17 January 2019
  • Guidance

Published 19 September 2019
Last updated 2 April 2024 + show all updates

1. 2 April 2024

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2. 15 March 2024

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11. 2 December 2022

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12. 11 October 2022

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13. 29 September 2022

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14. 27 July 2022

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15. 21 July 2022

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16. 14 July 2022

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17. 22 June 2022

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18. 1 June 2022

    Page updated with latest news stories.

19. 12 April 2022

    'News' section updated.

20. 2 March 2022

    Updated with latest news stories.

21. 16 February 2022

    Addition of: latest news announcements.

22. 23 December 2021

    Addition of press releases 'UK and Japan to develop future fighter jet engine demonstrator' and 'Advanced "detect and destroy" air defence system launched'.

23. 15 November 2021

    Addition of news story '£100-million investment for maritime electronic warfare capabilities'.

24. 1 November 2021

    Addition of news story, 'Highlands opens largest IT service centres in Europe'.

25. 29 September 2021

    Added latest news item to the collection.

26. 20 September 2021

    Addition of: two news announcements.

27. 10 September 2021

    Added news item: 'RAF’s next-generation Remotely Piloted Aircraft takes to UK skies'.

28. 17 June 2021

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29. 21 May 2021

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30. 8 April 2021

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31. 1 April 2021

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32. 25 March 2021

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33. 12 February 2021

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34. 29 January 2021

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35. 22 January 2021

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36. 8 January 2021

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37. 21 December 2020

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38. 11 December 2020

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39. 26 October 2020

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40. 19 September 2019

    First published.