Northern Ireland defence industry 'plays key role' in defence of UK and NATO allies - Labour minister
Northern Ireland plays a key role in keeping the United Kingdom and its allies safe – including building missiles to take down Iranian drones – the defence minister has said.
Luke Pollard was speaking in Belfast as the government announced that defence tech start-ups and small businesses here will benefit from a £50 million investment boost.
The Labour minister, along with NIO colleague Matthew Patrick MP, met representatives from local industry and research academia at Belfast Met College.
The UK government says it wants to “grow the defence ecosystem, boost competitiveness, and create jobs” across Northern Ireland. It is part of the government’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which aims to support UK businesses, and put the country at the leading edge of defence innovation” in NATO.
Ministers say Northern Ireland is already home to a significant defence industry footprint, with 900 jobs directly supported by over £271 million of defence spending with industry each year.
Mr Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: “Northern Ireland plays a pivotal role in keeping the UK and our allies safe. In Belfast we build missiles that take down Iranian drones threatening our bases and allies in the Middle East. Belfast also builds the air defence systems that keep Ukraine in the fight against Putin’s illegal war.
“Defence is an engine for growth and the MOD is proud to be working with the Northern Ireland Office and the Executive to create more jobs, more opportunities for apprentices and graduates and more investment in Northern Ireland’s defence industry.”
NIO Minister Matthew Patrick said the deal is good news for Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, “and our allies”.
“This Defence Growth Deal has been shaped by businesses large and small - our universities, apprentices and representative bodies. With this deal, Northern Ireland businesses enjoy a vote of confidence which will help them secure bigger and better deals”, he said.
The spending is part of the Strategic Defence Review’s commitment to supporting the UK’s defence industry’s innovation and aims to make defence “an engine for growth by powering investment”.