Defence industry leaders say they are “confident” that hundreds of new jobs are on the way, as the UK government increases its military spending and prepares to finalise major procurement contracts.
More than 44,000 people across the South West of England are already employed in the defence sector, with over 130 firms depending heavily on Ministry of Defence (MoD) contracts. But many are now poised for growth—provided the government follows through on its spending pledges.
Speaking at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in Gloucestershire, the world’s largest military air show, executives from across the industry expressed cautious optimism about the pipeline of future work.
Emma Baker, policy lead at trade body ADS, said: “We are anticipating a lot more work. It’s clear from government that a lot needs to be done to increase industrial capacity—not just in the UK, but across Europe, where defence budgets are also rising.”
One of the biggest deals currently on the table is a £1 billion order for more than 20 helicopters from Leonardo Helicopters’ Somerset factory in Yeovil, where over 3,000 people work. Though the company remains the sole bidder, the final decision is tied up in the government’s ongoing defence review.
According to Leonardo, the deal would create or safeguard 3,000 jobs across the country. In the meantime, the firm is continuing to invest in the future, recruiting apprentices and digital engineers to help meet future demand.
Among them is 20-year-old AJ McKenzie, a Yeovil native who joined the apprenticeship scheme a year ago and now works on the gearboxes used by the Royal Navy and RAF. “I absolutely love it,” he said. “Taking things apart and putting them back together—it’s so satisfying.”
Long-serving employee Chrissy Smith, who has spent 36 years with the company, now works on the ‘Digital Twin’ simulator, helping train pilots in a safe, virtual environment. “Every day is different,” she said. “I’m proud to be part of something that protects and secures the nation.”
While the Yeovil helicopter factory is the most visible face of the industry, dozens of smaller firms are equally reliant on MoD procurement. One of them is Broadway Group, a precision engineering firm tucked away on a trading estate in East Bristol.
Chief executive Seb Greene said defence contracts kept the business afloat during the pandemic. “Commercial orders just fell off a cliff. Everyone stopped flying. But defence work carried on, crucially,” he said.
Broadway has grown from 80 to 180 staff in recent years, thanks to military orders. It now hires four apprentices and one graduate annually and is expanding its digital and commercial teams.
Nanditha Gampala, who joined Broadway after completing a master’s degree in business, is keen to promote the variety of roles available in the aerospace sector. “Aerospace has something for people with different backgrounds and qualifications,” she said. “So don’t pigeonhole yourself—there really is something for everyone here.”
Despite the optimism, companies remain in a holding pattern as they await the MoD’s next round of orders. Greene is hopeful but realistic. “These things do take time,” he said. “But we’re confident the contracts will come. And when they do, we’ll invest in more technology—and crucially, more people.”
As defence spending rises and international tensions remain high, firms supplying the UK armed forces are preparing for a new era of growth. For many, the only thing missing is clarity from Whitehall.
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Defence sector confident of job surge as firms await MoD contracts