Debate contribution: Defence Industries

Debate contribution by Mr Jonathan Buckley on 20 May 2024.

MLA

Mr Jonathan Buckley

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

20 May 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Defence Industries

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4490689

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I beg to move

Today we will discuss an important motion that realises the untapped potential of Northern Ireland's aerospace, defence, security and space sectors. Those industries are not only vital to our economy but pivotal to the United Kingdom's national defence and global technological leadership, a point that was often reinforced from these Benches by our late colleague Gordon Dunne MBE, who served 30 years in the Ministry of Defence (MoD). In 2022, those sectors contributed nearly £1 billion to the UK economy and employed 9,000 people in Northern Ireland. Moreover, they provide over 500 apprenticeships, reflecting their commitment to nurturing future talent. Despite those achievements, Ministry of Defence spending in Northern Ireland remains disproportionately low in comparison with that in other UK regions. Last year, the MoD's expenditure per person in Northern Ireland was a mere £100, starkly contrasting with £380 in Scotland and England and £250 in Wales. That disparity is even more glaring when we consider that, in Northern Ireland, SMEs, which form 95% of defence companies, received just £2 million in MoD contracts compared with £29 million in Scotland and a staggering £408 million in the south-west of England. We must address the imbalance and fully integrate Northern Ireland into the UK defence network. That is not only a matter of fairness but a strategic necessity. Northern Ireland has a proud tradition of contributing to the UK's defence, and our local industries have the potential to play an even greater role. Northern Ireland has consistently punched well above its weight in its contributions to the UK's armed forces. Despite making up roughly just 2·8% of the UK's population, Northern Ireland has historically provided a higher proportion of soldiers. That speaks volumes about our commitment and dedication to national security. It is a timely intervention for us to debate the motion today, because it recognises that, in their economic contributions, our industries reflect the same level of commitment. The UK Government's commitment in the 'Safeguarding the Union' Command Paper to review and increase awareness of Northern Ireland's defence sector is a positive and promising start. The review aims to enhance public and commercial understanding of our capabilities, ensure equitable investment and leverage our academic and research strengths. Our cybersecurity clusters, academic centres of excellence and a steady pipeline of highly qualified STEM graduates uniquely position us to generate advanced military and security capabilities. Prominent local companies like Thales, Harland and Wolff and Spirit Aerosystems exemplify the high calibre of work that is produced here. Thales, for instance, plays a crucial role in producing surface-to-air StarStreak missiles, which are vital to the UK's support for Ukraine. Harland and Wolff's involvement in the fleet solid support ship programme will not only create significant employment opportunities but reinforce our proud shipbuilding heritage. Spirit Aerosystems' advanced composite manufacturing solutions are integral to the Royal Air Force's (RAF) future combat aircraft. However, the potential expands far beyond those notable examples. Northern Ireland SMEs, like Artemis Technologies, are at the forefront of digital manufacturing and technology, while our research hubs at Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University drive forward innovation. We must harness that ingenuity and ensure that our SMEs can connect with MoD initiatives and showcase their products on the national and, indeed, the international stage. To achieve that, we propose several initiatives. The first is establishing a dedicated hub to foster direct engagement between local SMEs and the MoD. That hub would act as a central point for information sharing, networking and collaboration and would help smaller companies navigate the complexities of defence procurement and identify opportunities for growth. The second is creating grant schemes to help SMEs attend MoD meetings and international trade shows, which would bridge the distance divide and enhance our global profile. The third is investing in skills development through partnerships like Thales's engineering and advanced manufacturing skills academy, which provides bespoke training and supports apprenticeships. A key focus of the Committee's work has been on those very skills and trying to promote the need for further advanced apprenticeships. Moreover, advanced manufacturing and engineering were highlighted in the DUP's 10X economic vision, a blueprint that championed sectors where Northern Ireland can excel globally. I call on the Minister for the Economy to reaffirm her commitment to that vision to ensure sustained innovation and growth. The Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre, part of the Belfast city deal's Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, serves as a technology hub for research and development. Spirit AeroSystems, a key industrial partner, underscores the potential for collaborative ventures that drive technological advancements and economic growth. Thales has launched an engineering and advanced manufacturing skills academy in Belfast in collaboration with South Eastern Regional College in Bangor and Ulster University in Belfast. That academy currently supports 62 apprentices and plans to train over 170 apprentices over the next five years, creating a pool of specialists in complex weapons systems. It is a hugely exciting time for those who are getting involved. Thales engages in STEM outreach programmes in primary and secondary schools across Northern Ireland, inspiring the next generation of engineers by encouraging students to identify and solve everyday problems through engineering. To further solidify our position as a leader in the defence sector, we must leverage our academic partnerships. ADS, the representative body for the aerospace defence, security and space sectors, maintains strong links with Queen's University and Ulster University. Initiatives like the Schools Build-a-Plane project inspire young people to get involved in these fields, ensuring a steady flow of talent into those emerging industries. While we celebrate those successes, we must not overlook the barriers that our SMEs, in particular, face in entering the defence market. A key concern highlighted in recent think tank reports and in evidence provided by representative bodies to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee inquiry is the difficulty SMEs in our Province experience in exploiting new opportunities and connecting with MoD initiatives and in showcasing their products and services on the national and international stage. To overcome those barriers, we must provide targeted support, including grants for travel to MoD meetings and international trade shows as well as enhancing networking opportunities to ensure that we connect SMEs with larger defence contractors. Furthermore, we must advocate a more significant share of MoD spending to be allocated to Northern Ireland. The current level of investment is disproportionately low and does not reflect the substantial capabilities and contributions of local industries. By increasing MoD spending in Northern Ireland, we can create more jobs, stimulate economic growth and ensure that our defence sector reaches its full potential. Strengthening Northern Ireland's defence industries is not just about economic prosperity; it is about enhancing our national security and positioning ourselves as a global leader in innovative technology. By increasing MOD spending and investment, supporting our SMEs and fostering skills development, we can unlock significant economic opportunities and contribute more robustly to the UK's defence network. Let us seize the opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland's strengths and ensure that our industries thrive on a national and international stage. By working together — government, industry and academia — we can build a brighter and more prosperous future for Northern Ireland and reaffirm our place as a vital part of the United Kingdom's defence ecosystem.

1,210 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 10:20 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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