The defence industry in Scotland
Scotland is involved in a number of aspects for the defence industry. However, the Scottish defence sector has two main components:
- defence electronics and optoelectronics; and
- military shipbuilding and ship-repair.
Scotland also has significant activity in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of rotorcraft.
Electronics
The electronics sector includes advanced sensor systems, system simulation, missile guidance and a world class laser centre of excellence. In addition one of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Technology Centres (DTC), focusing of electromagnetic remote sensing, is led from Edinburgh.
Find out about the Defence Technology Centre, at the EMRS DTC website
There are more than 100 companies in the sector with over 4,350 employees. Sales are worth over £684 million and 44 per cent of companies export.
Naval
Since 2005 naval shipbuilding activity has increased significantly and is expected to grow further, based on current and future Ministry of Defence and export orders. Scotland plays a major role in maintaining the Royal Navy’s surface ship and submarine assets with maintenance operations on both the Forth and the Clyde.
For more information visit our supplier directory
Research and development
There are 54 university departments and 34 companies with identified capabilities and technology expertise applicable to aerospace and defence.
Our research and development directory contains information on almost 90 organisations from academia and industry with technology capability relevant to aerospace and defence-related markets.
Search our research and development directory
SBAC Scotland Aerospace and Defence Survey 2007
The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) Scotland Aerospace and Defence Survey for 2007 showed the significant contribution the aerospace, defence and naval sector makes to the Scottish economy in employment, earnings, innovation and investment.
Download the 2007 Scotland aerospace and defence survey results from the SBAC Scotland website