ADS hosts launch of Security Export Strategy by International Trade Secretary

ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt (above) said: “The UK’s security & resilience sector is now worth £13.3bn to our economy, and the Security Export Strategy launched today will help it to further increase this vital contribution.

“This industry exported goods and services worth £5.2 billion last year to markets around the world, in areas including critical national infrastructure, policing and counter terrorism. We look forward to working with the Government on implementing this export strategy and helping hundreds of innovative UK companies in the sector to access new overseas opportunities.”

The ADS UK Security & Resilience Outlook 2019 published this week shows:

• The sector is worth £13.3 billion in annual turnover, a 142% rise since 2010.
• It now employs 114,000 people, with 3,000 apprentices.
• Exports have risen to £5.2 billion, with cyber security the largest area at 40% of exports, followed by capabilities including critical national infrastructure (23%), services (16%) and policing and counter terrorism (14%).

The UK’s Defence and Security industries at DSEI 2019 this week, constitute the largest ever UK Pavilion at the exhibition.

On Monday ADS published the annual UK Defence Outlook 2019 and UK Security & Resilience Outlook 2019, showing the two sectors are together worth £36 billion to the UK economy and provide 250,000 jobs.

ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said: “The UK’s defence and security industries are world leaders that make a vital contribution to our national security, sustaining hundreds of thousands of high value jobs in all parts of the UK.

“This week will see our largest ever UK Pavilion at DSEI, where we bring 153 UK companies to this major international exhibition in London.

“Global demand for our innovative and advanced defence and security capabilities is helping these important industries to grow their exports to our international allies and partners.”

The ADS UK Defence Outlook 2019 shows:

• The sector has achieved an annual turnover of £22.7 billion in 2018.
• It employs 135,000 people in this high value UK industry.
• The UK defence sector invests £1.8 billion a year in R&D in the UK and provides 30,000 jobs in design and engineering alone.