Our strategy for defence industry is no PR stunt

THiS week marks a significant milestone for the UK’s defence industry. Today the Prime Minister is backing a new approach developed by government and industry for driving growth in the UK defence sector through the Defence Growth Partnership.

Tomorrow, the world’s largest defence and security exhibition, DSei, opens at the exCel Centre in London’s Docklands.

At this morning’s meeting of the Defence Growth Partnership, co-chaired by MBDA’s Steve Wadey and my ministerial colleague at the Department for Business, Michael Fallon, a new strategic vision f or the defence sector will be launched.

We are publishing Securing Prosperity, to set out how the Government and the defence industry will work together to maximise the sector’s core strengths at home and overseas.

This collaborative approach will ensure our armed forces maintain the battle-winning capabilities they need and boost British jobs, trade and growth.

Leaders of 15 of the major defence companies active in the UK, with input from the most innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, are committed to working with government to develop a strategy to strengthen the UK defence industry’s competitive advantage. We have based t hi s approach on the model of the Aerospace Growth Partnership, which is already showing how co-operative, coherent joint working with government helps industry to capitalise on opportunities for growth.

This government is committed to creating the conditions for thriving defence innovation, jobs and highvalue exports, which are critical to economic growth and a balanced economy.

The defence industry not only supplies world- class equipment, services and support to our armed forces, and our allies, but is also a key source of innovation and technology.

The defence industry’s £22bn turnover also supports more than 100,000 highly skilled jobs in Britain. This newspaper has recently questioned the Ministry of Defence’s support for the Defence Growth Partnership and i would like to make it very clear that the MoD is strongly behind the vision and objectives of this initiative.

This is no talking shop or PR stunt; the DGP represents a serious commitment by serious people each of whom has an important role to play in expanding the defence industry.

What better way of showcasing the British defence industry than at the world’s largest defence and security exhibition. in the huge halls of the exCel Centre well over 30,000 people will visit 1,400 exhibitors, 50 per cent from the UK.

The four- day event provides a unique opportunity for British companies of all sizes t o promote t heir products, technologies and services to responsible nations from around the world, while also encouraging businesses to seek out new markets and new opportunities.

The Government is committed t o encouraging defence exports as a means of ensuring a vibrant and competitive defence market in the UK.

Last year was highly successful. Defence and security exports rose to £11.4bn i n 2012, a 43 per cent increase on the previous year. Defence is clearly contributing to the growth agenda, and playing its part in the global race.

Responsible defence exports play a vital role in helping the UK defence sector.

SUCCeSS in export campaigns helps lengthen production runs, sustains spares and so supports the capabilities of our armed forces.

initiatives such as the Defence Growth Partnership and the support of ministers, from the Prime Minister down, is helping British industry around the world. We will continue to help UK exporters win more business overseas, which in turn builds a stronger economy at home.

This week’s launch of the DGP, and hosting of DSei, highlights the status of the UK’s defence industry as a world leader.