A new partnership designed to enhance the West Midlands' already thriving defence sector has been established. The Regional Defence and Security Cluster (RDSC) brings together industry, academia, government, and the Armed Forces to foster collaboration and support organizations of all sizes in innovation and growth.
Currently, the sector employs 23,500 people in the region and benefits from an annual Ministry of Defence (MOD) industry spend of £1.7 billion.
Launch Event and Partners
The RDSC, delivered by the West Midlands Growth Company, was launched at a special event hosted at the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL). The partnership includes local authorities, industry partners such as manufacturer NMS UK, the Ministry of Defence, and key research institutions including the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the University of Birmingham, and the University of Warwick.
It will support the delivery of the Midlands Defence and Security Blueprint and is connected to the Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council, translating the UK's national defence strategies into a regional delivery plan.
Mayor's Comments
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "We're going all in to win major investment for our defence and security sector because that's where the high-quality jobs of the future are for local people. It will take a team effort but the award of Defence Technical Excellence College status for Walsall College already means our young people will get the skills they need to land those jobs and we have industry leaders serving on our defence council. This new cluster now brings together top talent from innovative businesses and world-class universities right across the region. 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."
MOD Perspective
Bruce Hardie, Defence Industry Partner at UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), MOD, said: "The West Midlands has a deep-rooted defence and security sector, with strengths spanning advanced manufacturing, cyber, autonomous systems, and engineering. The West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster builds on this foundation, connecting the region's businesses, universities, and public sector bodies to create a thriving innovation ecosystem that delivers real capability into the hands of UK Defence. As an integral part of UK Defence Innovation outreach, the West Midlands RDSC helps regional SMEs and innovators navigate the defence and security market, access UKDI funding competitions, and develop the relationships and readiness needed to scale their solutions into long-term defence capability."
The West Midlands RDSC is free to join, with more information and joining instructions available on its website: www.westmidsrdsc.co.uk.
