New Regional Defence and Security Cluster launched in UK

A new Regional Defence and Security Cluster has been launched in the West Midlands area of the UK, to support the translation of the country’s national defence strategies into a regional delivery plan. 

The cluster will bring together universities, government, the UK Armed Forces, and industry partners to boost collaboration and “support organisations of all sizes to innovate and grow”.  

It was launched at a special event on 15 May, hosted at the UK Telecoms Lab, a communications security organisation based in the region. 

The West Midlands Growth Company, the region’s official economic development organisation, is responsible for the delivery of the cluster. According to the company, the cluster will support the Midlands Defence and Security Blueprint, a plan to execute the UK’s Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy at a regional level.  

Additionally, the cluster will work with the Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council, a regional body established to strengthen defence industry across the Midlands. 

Key organisations supporting the cluster include manufacturer NMS UK, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and research institutions such as the Manufacturing Technology Centre, University of Birmingham, and University of Warwick. 

“It’s a huge opportunity for those companies to grow and for young people to build careers in jobs critical to our economic success and our national security,” Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said. 

The region is important for the UK defence industry, employing 23,500 people, with an annual MoD industry spend of GBP1.7 billion. 

A network of 11 regional defence clusters is currently active across the UK with a Scottish cluster in the planning stages. These are supported by a national forum which links them up and assists in collaboration.