Senior figures from some of Wales’ leading defence, aerospace, space, cyber and advanced manufacturing organisations have come together to examine what Wales must do to secure a greater share of future UK and international defence investment.
The discussion formed part of the new INFORM Wales programme from Business News Wales and brought industry leaders together at Aberthaw Power Station on Tuesday 22 September.
This Defence Editorial Board focused on a central question: what does Wales need to do over the next five years to become a more competitive location for defence investment, manufacturing and innovation?
Participants included:
- Nick Williams, General Dynamics Land Systems
- Lewis D’Ambra, Space Forge
- John Davies, Cyber Wales
- Phil Jones, Business in Focus
- Brad Hayward, ADS
- Spencer John, Llanelec Precision Engineering
- Stephanie Eden, Airbus Defence and Space
- Karl Hearne, Drone Evolution
- John Hogan, HASC
The two-hour discussion explored how Wales can build upon its existing industrial capabilities to strengthen domestic supply chains, attract investment and create more high-value employment.
Wales already has established strengths spanning aerospace, cyber security, advanced manufacturing, engineering and emerging space technologies. The INFORM discussion examined what additional infrastructure, skills, investment and collaboration will be required if those capabilities are to translate into greater economic value for Wales.
Particular attention was given to the ability of Welsh SMEs to enter defence supply chains and subsequently scale, alongside the importance of developing sovereign capability and ensuring major investment creates opportunities throughout the Welsh economy.
The discussion forms part of the wider INFORM Wales initiative, which brings senior leaders from business, industry, academia and government together to provide evidence and insight into the major opportunities and challenges facing the Welsh economy.
Mark Powney, Managing Director of Business News Wales, said:
“There is clearly a significant defence, security and sovereign capability story developing in Wales, but the important question is how we translate that capability into greater economic value.
“Bringing together people operating at the heart of defence, aerospace, cyber, space and advanced manufacturing gives us an opportunity to understand both where Wales is already strong and what industry believes needs to change.
“INFORM is about capturing that expertise, turning the discussion into evidence and making sure those insights reach the people making decisions around policy, investment and economic development.”
The Defence, Security & Sovereign Capability discussion forms part of a wider programme of INFORM Editorial Boards examining the sectors and regions that could shape the next phase of the Welsh economy.
