Aerospace And Defence

Sector Overview Wales

Aerospace and defence are global industries, led by a small number of large companies and supported by numerous small and medium-sized organisations. The UK has the second largest aerospace industry in the world and covers a number of world-class leading manufacturers and suppliers. Aerospace and defence cover a range of products and services including aeronautical, marine and land-based vehicles, materials, personnel, medical devices, electronics, communication services and environmental technologies. The UK is the second largest defence equipment manufacturer in the world and employs some of the most highly-skilled workers in the UK.

Wales is a centre of excellence for aerospace. In particular, MRO related activities (maintenance repair & operations) employ well in excess of 20,000 people throughout 150 companies. State-of-the-art facilities now manufacture, supply, maintain, repair and overhaul, civil and military aircraft from around the world.

• In North Wales a strong cluster of global aerospace companies has developed around Airbus UK's wing manufacturing facility. Companies such as Raytheon Aircraft Services Ltd (RASL) and Raytheon Systems Ltd (RSL) are supported by a strong cluster of specialist aerospace engineering companies that include Qioptiq and Cytec.
• South Wales is an established location for global MRO companies. British Airways has three facilities in south Wales: BA Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC), BA Interiors Engineering, and BA Avionic Engineering. South Wales is also home to GE Aviation, NORDAM Europe and Lufthansa.
• St. Athan in south Wales will also be the home for the UK MOD's new tri-service training centre. The Metrix Consortium are the preferred bidders for the UK Defence Training Review - a 25 year, £10 billion contract.
• In North Wales BAE Systems have a growing presence at RAF Valley, and west Wales offers ParcAberporth - a new European environment for unmanned systems technology development (ParcAberporth is the only civil-licensed airfield in the UK approved for UAV flying).