BAE Systems in Barrow has played host to the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle.
The ministerial visit came as the Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy was launched inviting investors, innovators, industry and trade unions to give their views on how to grow develop a more integrated, more innovative and more resilient defence sector.
The sector already supports 1 in 60 jobs in the UK.
The Government says the new strategy will be shaped with the defence industry, identifying opportunities to innovate at speed, with the resilience to deter aggression by adversaries, able to seize the opportunity presented by the technologies of the future, while growing the UK’s share of the exports market.
“Our defence sector should be an engine for jobs and growth, strengthening our security and economy,” Defence Secretary John Healey said: “That requires a defence industry that is better and more integrated – one that can keep our armed forces equipped, innovating at a wartime pace, and ahead of our adversaries.”
Last month Australia’s Treasurer and Defence Industries Minister, Stephen Mullighan, met staff and toured BAE Systems in Barrow.
