The defence and security industry
The legitimate defence and security industry is an indispensible part of life, and an important business sector in the UK and around the world. All of us depend on a strong security infrastructure to live in peace, safety and security.
The UK defence industry plays a critical role in supplying the best technology and equipment for the UK armed forces – the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and the Army - as well as equipment for the emergency services.
The defence industry is an important part of the UK economy. Defence companies support 300,000 jobs in the UK, and a significant number of these are in high-value engineering and manufacturing roles. It is an important part of the UK manufacturing base, and exports are vital to its continued health.
The UK defence sector is one of the largest in the world (alongside the United States, Russia, Germany, France, and the Netherlands), and contributes billions of pounds to the economy each year. It accounts for about 20% of the global defence market.
Defence exports from the UK are always managed responsibly. The UK Government has one of the most vigorous and transparent export licensing regimes in the world. The Government will not license the export of equipment which would contravene international obligations, (e.g. international embargoes), where regional stability would be affected or if there is a clear risk that the equipment might be used for internal repression or external aggression.
Further information about the Arms Trade Treaty and defence and security industry is included in the ‘Links’ section.
