U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday said an investment of approximately $1.8 billion billion will be made in armed forces capabilities, a long term plan between government and industry .
This includes an extra $1.3 billion investment in an intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance package to extend the range and flexibility of the nation’s options, including Special Forces capabilities responding to the threat of global terrorism and hostage taking, and an investment of about $512 million in existing capabilities including a new E-Scan radar for the Typhoon fighter and the purchase of Ice Patrol Ship HMS Protector.
“Having modern, technologically advanced and flexible armed forces to protect us and our interests is vital. Because of the difficult decisions we have taken to tackle the deficit we are able to make these vital investments in our defense capabilities,” Cameron said in prepared remarks for a visit to the Farnborough Air Show. “We are also taking action to sustain our thriving defense industry, as part of our long-term economic plan to back business, create jobs and secure a brighter future for hardworking people.”
Cameron also set out actions taken by the Defense Growth Partnership of industry and government, as part of the government’s long-term economic plan to improve competitiveness, boost the U.K. defense sector and make sure U.K. armed forces have the best equipment.
These will include: creating a U.K. Defense Solutions Center in –Farnborough–where Cameron unveiled these plans at the biannual air show. The center is to bring together industry, with support from government, to develop the new defense technologies of the future, identify future market opportunities and work together to ensure they have the products and solutions that will be in demand.
The global defense market is estimated to be worth around $140 billion a year out to 2022.
The government also will launch a potential $6.8 million U.K. Center for Maritime Intelligent Systems based in Portsmouth. Government, industry and the Local Enterprise Partnership will bring together academics, scientists, engineers and naval specialists to develop cutting-edge technology for use in autonomous unmanned boats, submarines or other vessels.
Additionally, the government wants to build skills for the future through a new Defense Apprenticeship Trailblazer to attract new graduates to the industry as well as improving skills for the existing workforce. This Trailblazer will develop a new Masters level standard in Advanced Systems Engineering, a critical skill to deliver competitive advantage.
Last week, figures were released that showed that U.K. defense exports increased by 11 percent to approximately $16.7 billion in 2013.