Defence Secretary John Healey has unveiled an increase in defence spending focused on manufacturing which is set to benefit three areas in Scotland.
Of the 13 locations earmarked for investment, estimated to provide 1000 new jobs, sites in Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire and Stirlingshire will receive funding designed to build critical capabilities for defence in munitions and explosives.
The war in Ukraine has highlighted the requirement for increased stocks of munitions across Europe, with the new investment designed to boost UK stockpiles.
The Defence Secretary said: “For too long our proud industrial heartlands saw jobs go away and not come back. We are changing that. Bringing new hope. This is a fundamental shift from the failed approach of the past.”
This is a new era of threat, but the opportunity of this new era is a defence dividend from our record investment, measured in good jobs, thriving businesses, new skills for the British people.”
The MOD secured £1.5 billion of additional investment for munitions manufacturing in the Strategic Defence Review, published in June.
Welcoming the jobs boost, retired British Army Colonel and defence analyst Simon Bergman sounds a note of caution:
“Increases in defence spending are always welcome and any new skilled jobs are most welcome.” But the requirement for additional munitions manufacturing is a sign of just how dangerous the world has become.”
The investment announcement comes in the wake of a report by the Defence Select Committee of backbench MPs, which was critical of the MOD’s readiness to protect the nation, build national resilience and bolster the nation’s defence industrial base.
“We have repeatedly heard concerns about the UK’s ability to defend itself from attack,” said Labour MP Tan Dhesi, chair of the committee. He continued “government must be willing to grasp the nettle and prioritise homeland defence and resilience.”
“Wars aren’t won just by generals, but by the whole of the population getting behind the Armed Forces and playing our part.”