General Atomics

ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time

ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across aerospace, defence, security and space.

ADS at Farnborough International Airshow
Photo: ADS Group

ADS has surpassed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors.

The trade association welcomed more than 400 new organisations during 2025, with its membership now spanning companies of all sizes across the four sectors it represents.

More than 90% of ADS members are small and medium-sized enterprises, reflecting the depth of the UK supply chain and the role SMEs play across aerospace, defence, security and space.

Alongside strong recruitment, ADS has maintained a member retention rate of 90%. Its most recent member survey also recorded an increase in Net Promoter Score from 46 to 54.

ADS membership growth reflects sector confidence

Ashley Gasson, director of membership and communications at ADS, said: “We are delighted to have surpassed 2,000 member organisations for the first time. It’s a powerful vote of confidence in ADS and reflects the ambition and growing opportunities across the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors.

“While welcoming more than 400 new members over the past year is a fantastic achievement, our focus has always been on delivering value for the businesses we already represent.

“We are proud to support a growing membership and will continue to create opportunities that help our members grow, build new connections and raise their profile across our industries.”

ADS members prepare for Farnborough International Airshow

The milestone comes as ADS members prepare for Farnborough International Airshow, where more than 225 member organisations are set to exhibit.

That represents an increase of more than 40% compared with the previous airshow, underlining the scale of member participation at one of the sector’s most important international events.

Farnborough International, the events business responsible for Farnborough International Airshow, is a wholly owned subsidiary of ADS Group.

Related

Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
The sun earth connection
Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
University of Surrey researchers warn that extreme space weather could increase radiation exposure and trigger faults in aircraft electronics.
Aerospace Most Read Space

12 Aug 2026

ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS Charity Cycle Ride group photo
ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS members are taking on a five-stage, 350-mile charity cycle from Belfast to Bristol, raising money for three causes while connecting colleagues and showcasing industry along the route.
London Stansted Airport enjoys its busiest month ever
Stansted
London Stansted Airport enjoys its busiest month ever
Last month Stansted Airport beat its previous monthly record, setting a new all time high of over 3.1 million passengers.
Aerospace

11 Aug 2026

Wargaming prompts changes to Royal Navy’s future minehunting motherships
Type 26 Anti submarine Frigate
Wargaming prompts changes to Royal Navy’s future minehunting motherships
How the Royal Navy is wargaming the Norwegian-designed OSVs and how the games suggest they will need some adjustments for British requirements.
Defence

13 Aug 2026

BAE Systems and TUALCOM to develop autonomous technologies
BAE Systems and TUALCOM sign MoU
BAE Systems and TUALCOM to develop autonomous technologies
BAE Systems' collaboration with Turkish company TUALCOM will lead to faster development of innovative technologies that will be integral to meeting the demand requirements of future autonomous defence systems.
Defence Member News

13 Aug 2026

Tiberius Aerospace to develop Sceptre for US Army DEVCOM AC
Tiberius Aerospace to develop Sceptre for US Army DEVCOM AC
The US Army has established a collaborative framework for the evolution of Sceptre's capabilities for the US and its allies.
Defence Member News

13 Aug 2026

Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
The sun earth connection
Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
University of Surrey researchers warn that extreme space weather could increase radiation exposure and trigger faults in aircraft electronics.
Aerospace Most Read Space

12 Aug 2026

ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS Charity Cycle Ride group photo
ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS members are taking on a five-stage, 350-mile charity cycle from Belfast to Bristol, raising money for three causes while connecting colleagues and showcasing industry along the route.
HydroGNSS becomes first ESA Scout mission to complete in-orbit commissioning
HydroGNSS coherent channel detecting surface water at a high resolution, even when under a vegetation canopy.
HydroGNSS becomes first ESA Scout mission to complete in-orbit commissioning
Designed, built and operated by Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) for ESA, the HydroGNSS satellites are now able to provide data to researchers worldwide.
Member News Space

11 Aug 2026

UK manufacturers found to be facing extensive cyber threats
Manufacturing cyber security.
UK manufacturers found to be facing extensive cyber threats
A new report from Make UK outlines the true extent of the risks of cyber attacks faced by manufacturing businesses across Britain.
Security

12 Aug 2026

How the Royal Navy is developing its next-generation mine hunting capability
Mines float on the waves in the sea 3d illustration
How the Royal Navy is developing its next-generation mine hunting capability
A major collaborative effort to design and implement an innovative test of UK underwater mine countermeasures is set to inform and enhance future operations.
Defence Security

12 Aug 2026

AXA XL’s S-RM acquisition puts UK manufacturing cyber resilience in focus
IT technician checks cyber security in the office
AXA XL’s S-RM acquisition puts UK manufacturing cyber resilience in focus
AXA XL’s acquisition of UK cyber consultancy S-RM comes as manufacturers face growing pressure to strengthen prevention, incident response and supply chain resilience.
Security

11 Aug 2026