A thousand more people in Wales are working in defence-supported roles, with new figures showing a 26% rise in just 12 months.
The Ministry of Defence's employment estimates employment estimates, which cover the 2024/25 financial year, point to jobs boosts across the country. In Wales, jobs supported by Ministry of Defence expenditure have increased from 3,900 to 4,900 between 2023/24 and 2024/25.
The figures show that UK defence now comprises 462,000 roles across the Armed Forces, industry, and the Civil Service. They demonstrate how the UK Government is making defence an engine for growth, with increased investment creating jobs and opportunities in communities across the country to raise living standards and put more money in working people's pockets.
The increase is driven in part by a surge of 400 supported jobs in Wales in the weapons and ammunitions sector. The rise reflects the Government's drive to rebuild a sovereign, “always on” pipeline of munitions supply, so that critical weapons and ammunition can be produced quickly at home rather than relying on other countries.
Building this domestic capability is central to strengthening the UK's warfighting readiness and deterring threats while creating skilled manufacturing jobs.
Wales Office Minister Anna McMorrin said:
“I am proud of Wales's contribution to strengthening the UK's national security.
“With 1,000 additional Welsh jobs supported by the MOD in 2024 to 2025, the UK Government is helping to grow the Welsh defence sector, building on our existing talent and expertise and bringing about good well-paid jobs of the future.”
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said:
“These figures show that a rising defence budget is creating more good jobs across the UK. Defence is an engine for growth and our investments are driving reindustrialisation. As we increase our military readiness and capabilities we are generating good well-paid jobs nationwide.”
The rise in weapons and ammunition jobs forms part of a wider picture of expansion in defence-related employment across the UK, which has seen a year-on-year increase of 26,000 roles, spanning both direct roles in manufacturing and indirect jobs in the wider supply chain. The increase underlines defence as an engine for growth and the move towards a resilient industrial base, proving that investment in the UK's security is investment in the UK's prosperity.
MOD maintains a significant footprint in Wales, spending more than £1 billion annually with industry in the region, including £42 million with SMEs. Wales is home to Brecon and Cawdor Army Barracks, as well as RAF Valley and HMS Cambria. A number of key defence strategic suppliers have established locations across Wales, including General Dynamics, Airbus, Thales UK and BAE Systems.
The growth in defence-supported roles is set to accelerate further under the Defence Investment Plan, which commits £298 billion to UK defence over the next four years. The plan will drive sustained investment in British industry, from munitions and shipbuilding to advanced technology, ensuring the UK's defence sector remains a cornerstone of the country's economic renewal.
